Year of Projects, It's Sunday

 Slow progress on the green sweater for DD, though it does now measure 17.5 inches approximately.  This is the back.  It traveled with me recently to Park City Utah.  I was able to knit on the way out, not so on the way back, the flight was too crowded and it was night coming back.  I'm a bit concerned with where my markers are.  I think...it is my imagination...that I see a little texture change in the rows beneath them?  Wanting to be sure I don't drop any stitches I put in markers every 40 stitches, and am now wondering if that was a bad idea?

 Finished 2 cotton washcloths.  One is straight forward garter (on the left), with a few rows of purl for a half way look; while the 2nd one is a paw print.  I'm not sure the paw print shows up well in the photo, but it does in person.  Both need ends tucked.

I now have 4 washcloths done for my 2 pay it forward gifts that appear on my YOP list.

Didn't knit much at all while on vacation last week, was enjoying family time with hubby and DD.

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AND...don't forget to pop in tomorrow for Memory Monday!

A Red, White and Blue Memory

It's Monday...Monday Monday, and just that day...are you singing with me.  Memory Monday and again something from the way back machine...though a bit more current then last weeks post.  Left to right, older brother Chuck, Grandma (Dad's Mom), Dad, Mom, Me and Mike my younger brother in front.

You can't tell from the picture but I believe this was taken around a 4th of July family celebration.  Mom always made something for the occasion.  I think her shift was blue and white, and my shorts were white with a red and white handkerchief print blouse.  Grandma, never was seen in anything less then a dress and necklace.  AND she never owned a pair of slacks.  The most casual I can remember her being dresswise was when it was hot she rolled down her nylons and twisted them to keep them up.

Remember how everyone had to squint into the sun to get their picture taken...lol My eyes are closed, Dads are close.  I think I was about 12-13 ish here so the picture was taken some time around 1962 ish.

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Random 5 on Friday

It's Fridaytime for another fun round of Random 5 (Friday 5, guess people call it several different names)

• Spent a good part of week organizing stuff here, my desk was sorely in need.  Looks much nicer now...hope I remember where I put stuff, lol
• Looking forward to a week in the mountains with Hubby and Darling Daughter.  Been Christmas when we were last all together.
• The hardest part of packing for a trip for me is what yarn to take.  I never gauge the right number of projects to take, and typically take too much; but I don't want to have craft time with out something to work on.
• Been so rainy, wet, and humid here am hopeful the dry mountain air will give hubby and I a break from the allergy problems.  He's sneezing and coughing and I'm going crazy with itchy eyes.
• Am so enjoying the flowers in the yard

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Mark your calendars and be sure to pop back her for Memory Monday's, the more the merrier.

Singer Sewing Machine Back in the Day

It's Memory Monday time.  I remember when my Mom would sit at a machine like this and make my school clothes.  This is a singer treadle sewing machine that now sits in my office a short distance from my computer.  It belonged to my Aunt Mary, Dad's sister who passed at the age of 92.  The machine is actually still threaded sorta...the bobbin.  The machine belonged to my Grandmother before my Aunt.  We're not certain if Grandma purchased it new or it was passed down from another family member.  Searching using the serial number it appears this machine dates back to 1910, and is therefore 103 years old.  I believe with some oiling I could in fact still use it.

I learned to sew, not on this machine; but the one like it my Mother had.  You got exercise with your legs sewing in those days as you kept the machine running by pumping the pedal with your feet.

Having this in my possession makes me smile, it makes me remember My Mother, My Grandmother and My Aunt and a different life then we now all have.

My Mom

My Aunt Mary

My Grandmother.  She and Grandpa sitting in front of their house.  I only have a few pictures of my Grandma.  She must not have liked to have her picture taken.

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Like Arnold, "I'll be Back"

I'm a bit confused whether I'm a week behind or on time at this point, but...meh who cares.  lol  That's my new attitude.  I'm not going to stress...thank you all my YOP peps for convincing me of that.

So here I am at the beginning of my year 3, whatever week it is.  The idea of this Ravelry Group is to make a list of projects you want to make and check in every Sunday morning with updates about the progress of things.

Last year I felt like I didn't do particularly well with my list (lots of big projects), so am making my list a bit different this time round.

My selfish list:

• I'd like to myself a shrug and or shawl...and or maybe a special scarf.  Not just a typical scarf.  How's that for living the window and door open?
• I'd like to finish the green sweater I started after Christmas for Darling Daughter
• I'd like to make myself a cable stitch skirt (been so long ago I wanted to do that, I'm going to have to find the pattern again).

My Charity Work:

• I'm going to continue to assemble afghans from donated squares/stripes/pieces, but I'm not going to pick a number to strive for.  I'm hoping to make more then before, particularly if I can work my way through all the odd sized donated pieces.....those take more time.

I spend so much time working on the blog, documenting the donations, sending thank you emails, posting on forums and social network sights my actual knitting and crocheting time for the charity, Bridge and Beyond is less, and I think I need to revamp my thinking...realizing even when not knitting or crocheting for the cause I am still working on the cause.  Thus, the no number.

Previously Committed Projects:

• I have 2 people I need to make gifts for a pay it forward commitment.   is about half done, the other is only in thinking stages.

1. Knitted Cat Washcloth Done, ripped out and need to start over the 2nd cloth which is a paw print Washcloth..person #1's gift
2. Person two...I think a hand print washcloth and a basic knit cloth.  One is in the works.

Things to Consider:

• My nephew and wife are having a 2nd chid, maybe a baby afghan?  I made one for their first boy, but...they got several so maybe I won't make one this time?

Please scroll back and see the finished (though still in need of laundering and blocking), feather and fan afghan, Sea and Sand.

Pictures show the green sweater in the works, finished cloths, and possible next couple of ghans to be assembled.

 Inviting you all to come back tomorrow and participate in

 A fun way to share cute, funny or interesting stories and linky love...let's brighten up Monday's.


   

Fabulous, it's Friday

Finally it's Done!  Terrible picture with it being cloudy, bad lighten; but was anxious to show this afghan is finally finished.  It's a knitted feather and fan pattern with each section being a 20 stitch repeat.  This one is named Sea and Sand, Sand and Sea.  In the beginning I called it Sea and Sand, but later kept interchanging the names.  This afghan has been in the works over 1 year.  I found a post from June 4th of last year where I had about 3 stripes done.  Now, it's not like I worked on this everyday or didn't work on anything else during this time; but...it's been a long time...much longer then I like to have one going.

And So for the first time in ages I do have a Finished Object to share with you on Friday AND a post for Random 5, Friday Five, 5 on Friday.  All badges are clickable, join us!

• Hope you had a wonderful and safe 4th of July.  Sadly our fireworks weren't quite as good as normal.  It rained, not stormy so they went ahead.  But, I wonder if they couldn't shoot them off as high because of that?  And or, because of the dampness they didn't last as long in the sky?  No matter, Happy Birthday America.  You're an awesome country and I so appreciate all the sacrifices of those that made it possible for us.
• Obviously I'm really excited to have the above afghan completed.  It's still in need of being laundered and blocked, but and a better taken, but it's DONE!
• More planning for the trip to Spain next Spring has taken place AND, we now have all our tickets for flights confirmed.  We've decided not to stay the full 10 days in Malaga (Marbella Beach Area), we'll be there a week then fly to Barcelona via Madrid for a few days, AND we now have confirmed hotel reservations there in Barcelona as well.  Gonna give our brains and our charge card a rest before we move onto the next step...which will be planning tours, though I do have a lists of things we want to see.
• House smells so good right now, hubby is making his "World Famous" Baked Beans.  We're going to a Baby Reveal party later today with family (normally we would have spent yesterday, the 4th together here at our house so this is combined deal).  We'll soon know whether my youngest nephew, Ryan and his wife are having a little boy or girl.  I'm pulling for a girl which would give them one of each...wouldn't that be nice.
• Continuing to work on my SIL's family tree, but also pulled out my Mom's side file that I've not worked on in a good long while and am happy to say...I'm finding some of the missing pieces from before!

Pop in tomorrow for the 3rd Year of Projects, it's a group through Ravelry, always happy to have more folks join us.

AND don't forget to join in on Monday for my Memory Monday...I've already gotten 4 or 5 posts written and placed in que.  Looking forward to seeing you all, the more the merrier.  The more you link and visit the more fun folks.  Join any or all of the meme's.  Enjoy the rest of your week-end.

Walking Through the Old Neighborhood

It's time for Memory Monday.  I've pulled something from the way back machine for you today.  This is my older brother Chuck on his bike.  The picture was taken on Easter Sunday probably right before or after Church, can't remember that part.  You can see from the cars in the photo the picture was taken in the 50's.  This was on Lilac Lane in my old hometown of Marion.  Some of you may remember my mentioning a group on Facebook filled with people who have fond memories of living there as children...some still live there, though not on Lilac Lane.  The bike was new and was red, my brother LOVED his bike.  The driveway was gravel and shared with our neighbors The Belvilles (Frank, Bernie, Pam, and Shannon).

The bush there on the corner was a favorite spot for my folks to hide an Easter Egg or two.  I think this had to be before Church, after church we would have changed clothes to do the hunting in the yard for the eggs.  The trike there would belong to my younger brother, Mike.

The other day a childhood friend, Wendy and I met here in our old neighborhood for a day of fun and remincing.   We walked around the neighborhood remember who lived where.  In fact we spoke to the gentleman that owns my old house.  He owns and lives in the house that was Belvilles, to the left and owns and rents the house that I grew up in, the white one on the right where the BIG bush is.  The driveway is still a shared one, but is now blacktopped.

Join us for Memory Monday

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Reviewing a Year of Projects

WOW...our last post for a Year of Projects ....

My Year of Projects List for July 2012-July 2013(see updates in green Italics)

My Afghan Goals:
To complete 12 afghans:
10 from donated squares (9 down and 1 to go)
1.. Summers End
2.  Sandbox 
3. My Granny
4. Christmas Time 
5.  Buckeye Blitz
6.  Box of Crayons 
7.  Arapaho
8.  Desert Rose 
9.  Iris and Lillies 
Complete Candy Corn Afghan (longest work in progress project EVER)
Finish the Feather and Fan Afghan (knitted), that finally has a name, Sea and Sand
  **Sea and Sand in the works

The afghan picture is Sea and Sand, it is very close to finished.  I'm doing the last couple of rows of the final section, the dark gray section.  Then need to work in end, launder and block.  

I did not get the last afghan of the 10 made from donated squares.  I lost steam. 

The goal accomplished last year, learn to cable. I want to make a skirt for myself using this new skill. Need to re-find the pattern for starters.
**Well it seems I'm already altering in come capacity.  I am working on a cable scarf which I never put on the list, needed to practice the cables I thought; plus was traveling and needed a small project that would travel well.  The cabled scarf DONE

I want to make time for working on items other than the above afghans. I kept so busy with those last year, many other wanted projects didn't happen.  Didn't really accomplish this so much.  Seemed there never was enough time to do much beyond the ghans.  A few small things here and there only.

Cast on....I know there are other methods beyond the traditional one I always use. I get all tangled up when I try to do the thumb one and so ....do it old school...the long slow way. Would like to learn another faster cast on.

Did not accomplish this either.  Egads, I'm not doing to well.  

I have a knitting machine, haven't used it in over a year. In fact removed it from my office in order to make room for my antique Treedle Singer Sewing Machine. Would like to set up a space in the basement and use it some again for accomplish quick things for charity, Bridge and Beyond.

Nope...no headway with this either beyond talking with hubby about the logistics of how this might work.

Personal Projects:
 Need to block a blue scarf I knitted AND cable scarf mentioned above
Want to try the above mentioned cable skirt
Misc whatever items for DD (perhaps the jewel tone traveling scarf now in the works) and family, made scarf intended for DD, but ..colors didn't come out the way I hoped. (that was the above cable scarf, and she tells me she really doesn't need another, yet.  So perhaps it will be donated.  Project turned into a Green Sweater which is in the works.
perhaps even some washcloths for myself....in the works

No further headway with the green sweater for DD, never got around to blocking said scarves, and the cotton cloths I initially made for myself, ended up being gifts for others.

So, I conclude I did NOT do well with my list; debating about whether or not to get on board for the up coming year.  I went quite a few weeks without posting and linking because I didn't feel I had much to report.  We'll see how the sign up goes, and how the wind is blowing before I make a final decision.  Though, I'll not lose contact either way, as I think I have you all in my blog log.

Inviting you all with or without yarn to pop back in tomorrow for Memory Monday.  I've been enjoying posting pictures from the way back machine, but your memories don't have to be from long ago....unless you're as old as dirt, like me....you may not have pictures and memories that old.  Grab the badge, post a picture and tell us the story or memory of the picture, link back here and visit others.  Let's make Monday a less dreaded day.
 

Busy and Fun Times on Friday

 It's Friday, always a favorite day for many.  Link up with some fun folks, click the Random 5 button and join Nancy and the rest of us.  Sorry to all my friends I have nothing finished craft wise to join in on Finished Object Friday today.  Still working on the infamous HUGE Afghan that is Sand and Sea or Sea and Sand, think I keep switching how I type the name.  Which sounds better anyway?

• Having knitting or crocheted as much as normal past couple of weeks, have been working on my SIL, Jan's genealogy...thrilled with how much I've found for her in such a short period of time.  Particularly given one of the family names in Jones!
• On countdown til we leave for vacation with our Darling Daughter...we just don't get to see her enough
• Catching up with my grade school friend last Saturday was soooooooooooo awesome.  We had a great time, took pictures, shared stories and laughed alot.  Looking forward to our next outing.  Will be blogging and sharing some pictures in a few days.  Stay tuned, please!
• Work schedule is about to become wild and crazy, over booked, and double booked...hope I have the umph for it.  I'm not getting any younger you know.
• Hoping to get to Shakespeare in the Park this weekend.  Every-time I think we're gonna go, hubby's too tired, or the weather doesn't cooperate.  We've not made it all this year.

 I mentioned working on my SIL's and Wendy's family tree above, and want to share with you a fun project to do with the kids...big and small.  Join me please over on Flat Stanley's.  The project will be posted later today, just click the tree to pop over.

For those that like blog challenges, pop over to Paula's.  Her June challenge is about to end, but she's having one in July too.  Check it out.  I may only participate here and there, with work kicking into high gear, and I've done 3 month long blog challenges in the past 3 months.  I might not be able to blog daily in July.  But, know she'd love some folks to join her.

Still trying to Memory Monday up and going with more participants.  Please pop back on Monday, and join in.  Linky Love, Meme's blog challenges that are a specific day of the week don't require a huge comment...time wise so they appeal to me...join in.

Mom You Fascinate Me

Today's blog prompt from Paula's June Blog Challenge is to write about someone who fascinates you and why.  This is My Mom, she was probably about 16 or 17 here in this picture.

She fascinated me because she and many women of her time did so much.  They married young, had children young, cook and cleaned and did laundry when there no short cuts.  Modern conveniences didn't exist, keeping a house was hard work from sun up til sun down.  They didn't have time or money to have manicures, pedicures, massages, girls night out.  They didn't didn't have "me time".  They didn't belong to the gym to stay fit, they didn't need to.  Working day in and day out was enough exercise.  They didn't talk about being stressed out the way young mothers do today.

Think of the time and effort alone it took to do laundry for a family of 5.  Wringing out the laundry, 1 piece at a time in the wringer washer operating the crank by hand.  Then lugging heavy wet cloths outside to hang them on the line...back inside to start the next load, back outside to take the clothes down etc.  The process had to be repeated many times over.  And because everything came off the line stiff, wrinkled then the long process of ironing, hanging, folding and putting things away.

There were no microwaves to heat something up quick, nor fast food joints around the corner, no frozen meals for convenience.  Every meal had to planned out,  things removed from the freezer and cooked.  There were no dishwashers beyond ones pair of hands.  Garbage disposals came along much later, so wrapping up and taking out the trash was a constant thing.

She sewed most of my clothes, she went fishing with my Dad on his day off, she made things come together with her creativity.  When I think about her, aside from missing her since she's passed 4 years ago; I am fascinated at what she accomplished in a day.  Makes me think that perhaps kids who's relationship wasn't what they wanted with their mothers, might not have realized what all they went through.  I'm fascinated that she did these things every day and still had time to jump rope with me, teach me to knit, play jax sometimes.  Parents weren't kids best friends back in those day, how could they be...there wasn't time for that.  There was work to be done, those light hearted moments of play were very special.

Old Time Christmas

It's time to have fun with Memory Monday.  Pulled this photo from the way back machine.  This was probably a day or two after Christmas, or later in the day on Christmas Day.  My older brother Chuck with Bozo the Clown Punching Bag,  Me with my easel chalk board, and my younger brother Mike...always the cowboy!   My brother Mike would get up in the middle of the night and boot his cowboy boots on...sometimes he'd go back to bed wearing them, he loved being a cowboy.

Grab the badge, link back here, add yourself to the linky and visit others.  Let's share a fun, funny, cute memory.
 And today's prompt from Paula's is to write about your favorite movie.

The first one that came to mind is John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in "The Quiet Man".  We watch it every year around St. Paddy's day, we quote from the memory often.