Memory, A Simpler Time?

Haven't posted a Memory Monday in awhile.   Found this old picture and thought I'd post it.  I can't say I remember this, as Chuck the toddler in the picture is my older brother so I was either not yet born or very much an infant.  But, it bring back memories.

Memories of what a hard worker Mom was.  That roaster on the utility shelf I know she had for many years, because even as teenager it's the one she used every Thanksgiving to cook the turkey in.  She still used the shelf too.  Here though, I believe it was used to cook a good many things, as I don't think she had an oven.  From stories I remember her telling me, she cooked on a one burner hot plate and used the roaster in their first..maybe even the first couple of homes/apt's.  That wooden ironing board is still one in my parents house.  Mom's gone (4 years ago), and I don't think Dad has need of ironing; but it's still there and when she was living it was till in use.

Not sure what brother Chuck is playing with.  Apparently, something came out of the box?

I also remember my cousin, Nancy (older then Chuck) telling me Mom had lots of sweaters when she was young and she liked to get into her sweater draw.  Looks like she's wearing one in the picture.  Also get a kick out of noticing the rolled up jeans........kids today think they've started a new trend...not so much, What goes round comes round.

People have fond memories and often refer to that bygone time as a simpler time.  I don't think that's so, our lives today our more simple.  It's far easier/simpler to do laundry now then it was then, likewise cooking with all our computerized fancy stoves etc.  Simpler times?  Hum

Multiple Generations

Working on one's family tree is always interesting and fun.  You can find some members of your family easier then others, and it's not something you can do over night, even with the internet.  I started working on my family tree years ago.  It's been a long time since I've worked on it, and need to get back to it.  My Dad and older brother and I visited Chillicothe, Ohio the other day and visited the cemetery where many on my Dad's side of the family gravestones can be found.

I've had some trouble with updating of my genealogy software and may need to buy a new program and re-enter the data to fix the problem.

This is my Dad who served in WWII in his Navy uniform.  He was a fighting Seabee.  This picture used to always be on my Grandmother's dresser, back in the day.  My Dad's name is Charles Albert (he was Jr.).  He still has lots of hair, not as much as in this picture naturally, lol.

This is my Grandpa (my Dad's Dad), Charles Albert Mader, Sr.  He looks so young here in his Army Uniform.  He was born Sept. 6th, 1896, married Grandma (Artie Viola Roseboom...more on her later), on July 24th, 1918.  He died May 1, 1959, on my older brother's birthday.  He died young, at only 63 years old, which is only a year older then I am now.  WOW, how's that for some perspective?  I've made a memorial to him HERE with some cute stories.  He was quite a character.  Interesting to scroll back and forth and look at their eyes.

His father was, Charles Frederick Mader, who was quite musical.  I can't tell if we have the eye thing going on here or not.  I sorta think we do?  There are additional pictures here on his memorial that I think show the eye connection.  He was born Jan 29th 1860, and died Jan 6th 1933.  He was just an infant when Civil War broke out.  His primary claim to fame would be his friendship with President Warren G. Harding, and the fact that he taught Warren G. Harding how to play the horn!

Interesting note here is my older brothers name is Charles, and his oldest son was named Charles also; though he went by his middle name.  So you can see the name of Charles has a long standing and proud family history.

My Great-Great Grandfather, Wilhelm Heinrich Mader, far right, father of above Charles Frederick immigrated to the United States as a young man.  He left Germany after the death of his mother and traveled alone to this country. (click to enlarge the picture, I think the family resemblance is striking).

Here's a picture of William Henry (his Americanized name) later in life.   A memorial made in his honor is HERE

Have you traced your family tree?  You'll be amazed what you can learn about how things do travel down through the generations.

To do Lists

Happy Sunday one and all.  It's time for another year of projects update.  I've done a cut and paste here of the afghan section of my year of projects list.  As you can see one part of it is complete.  I've assembled 10 afghans from donated squares.  The latest, Blue Jay was posted for finished object Friday, please scroll back one post.  The 2nd portion of the afghan list was to complete the longest work in progress ever........EVER.  I have, as of today officially marked it off the list.  And will insert an 11th ghan made from donated squares in it's place.

My Afghan Goals:
To complete 12 afghans:
10 from donated squares (10 down and 0 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 
10. Blue Jay

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
WILL BEGIN WORKING AGAIN ON SEA AND SAND, NEED TO FIND MY NOTE ABOUT WHERE I LEFT OFF

So will revise the list on YOP tab to read 11 from donated squares (10 down and 1 to go).
Considering which ghan to work on (have over 20 designed and waiting), between these 3.  Not sure which one I'm leaning on.  Need to check my yarn stash.  Feel free to state which one you think I should work on, why, which one you like best etc.

Pink Persuasion, might use pink or off white/beige to edge and join

Purple Iris, hoping I have purple to edge and join with; but will look at green stash, with fall back beige.

 

 Or maybe this one, called Wee Irish.  Checking to see what shades of green I have to pull this one together.

With summer vacations on folks minds, and school's closing approaching, wanted to take a minute to invite you all to my Flat Stanley blog.  The blog is geared towards things to do with kids to keep them learning, or start them learning for the younger ones.  There's a bit of history, geography, spelling, coloring, puzzles and more.  I give examples of things you can do to help the kids remember certain things.  Recently Flat Stanley completed a month long blogging challenge and traveled the US in the process.  Use the search portion of the blog to insert the states you'll be traveling to or through on your upcoming vacations to see ways to engage the kids.  AND, I invite you all to do a Flat Stanley project with your children, grandchildren, students, neices, nephews, or kids next door.  Sat and Sunday's are days when I share kids Flat Stanley Projects.

Let's Get Social Sunday Time Too, link in meme tab

Loving Friday

Purple Iris's about 1/3rd opened in my back yard.  I have them up and down 3 fence rows and in flower beds around the side of the house too.  I love this flowers.  So large, so pretty, so deep in color.  These are what my Mom used to say were double Iris's.

It's Friday folks, time for 5 on Friday, Random 5 and time for Finished object Friday!

1. As people wrap a busy week and look forward to the wkend I give you natures beauty, in the form of the beautiful Iris's.  Soon, the yard will be at what I call it's purple stage.  I also have wild Geraniums that are lavender blooming.  AND, see the wee tiny blue-ish purple, those are Forget Me Nots, so as soon as the Iris really take hold it's a purple person's fantasy.  I also love that these purple beauties came from my parents yard.
2. I have for the first time in awhile finished a project and therefore have a finished object to share with on Friday.  Yippee.  Must decide what to work on next.  Should I start something new....or try to finish Sea and Sand Afghan (a feather and fan pattern), or get brave and rip out the couple of rows I need to in order to get to knitting the green sweater for my Darling Daughter?  The finished ghan, Blue Jay is being blocked in the picture and will, like the others be donated to Homeless Families Foundation through my charity, Bridge and Beyond.
3. Friday night at our house is Pizza night, do you have a Friday night tradition?
4. Schools are on a delay here this am, due to some pretty substantial fog.  As of the writing of this post, 8:30 I can now see the end of my backyard, though it is still foggy.  No doubt closer to the river, and in out lying areas is still difficult to see, and therefore dangerous.
5. Managed to weed half of one fence row yesterday, and that almost filled 1 of those large paper yard trash bags.  Half of one bed, was enough bending and stooping for me.  Gotta pace myself

Not the best lighting, but it's a good non foot travel spot to do blog afghans.  Had to give some pretty good tugs here and there to get this even; thus the beauty and necessity to block afghans........even when made of acrylic yarn and even when crocheted and not knitted.  Yarn from different makers varies a bit, people use different size crochet hooks and have different tension as they work.  ANd even when the square measure close to the same size...you have variances that are helped when you block a ghan.  AND, yarn gets dusty on the shelves in the store, picks up odors in our homes, human and pet hair, and oils from our hands.......washing a ghan is necessary.

FOF and Friday 5 Badges and Links in meme tab, please join us.

Happy Friday all.
(BL5, FF5, CF5, FOF10)

Mothers Day

Happy Mother's Day all.  This is my Mother at 16 in a beautiful dress she made herself.  If I remember the story correctly this was her prom dress.

There are times when I think I'm a great deal like her, and times I think I'm not.  I do think I got my creative side from her.  And Dad says I got my strength from her.

She's been gone now just over 4 years; but she's always in my heart.

Happy Mothers Day Mom
(SS5, BL6)

Friday is Here!

Usually try to post Friday 5 early in the day; but today's work schedule prevented that.  So, here we are almost cocktail time and I'm just now getting it written and posted.

• I have allergies and lately the sneeze factor is annoying
• Hubby and I went to The Theatre Wed to hear/see The Tenors.  They were awesome.  Nicest date we've had in awhile, but we were both tired...we don't usually go out on a "school night".
• Had hoped to have finished this ghan, Blue Jay and be able to show it to you today, as my finished object Friday Post, so since it's not finished...not linky up. (broke my crochet hook last night while working on it and had to dig around to find another one).
• Looking forward to having nothing planned for this weekend, as we've both been rather busy lately.
• I'm looking for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who have kiddo's in the family.  AND or folks who might have a neighbor with kiddos.  I'm wanting to get folks to share their Flat Stanley experiences/adventures.  If you've done one in the past with your kids...please share your story/adventure/pictures etc.  I'd like to add them to my Flat Stanley Blog.  AND if you've not done one, how bout doing one now?  Inviting you all to visit Flat Stanley and Friends, please click HERE.

For those here for Friday 5 (badge and link in meme tab) who may not know, the afghans I assemble are generally made from donated squares and once assembled are donated to Homeless Families Foundation, though my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond.

**If you have a Disgus Blog, and or are thinking about joining google+ and or have joined google+, you really need to scroll back one post.  **
(FF6)

Blogging Troubles

For those who use Disgus, this set up is probably costing you visitors to your blog and comments.  People generally aren't going to join Disgus in order to leave you a comment, and most people also aren't going to sign in through facebook etc. to do so.  If you have an option to change your settings you would be doing yourself a favor.  Recently involved in several blog challenges this problem has popped up, and there's been much discussion about it, the comment I've seen most is people are avoiding blogs like this, so you're costing yourself blog traffic.  It's very difficult to leave a comment.

AND
Those using google+ are also an issue.
*Many of you may not be aware and wonder why folks aren't returning your visits and comments.  Google+ has a setting now that does not allow others to comment, in some cases your blog isn't even visible unless people register with google+.  You are losing people without knowing why, as many of you don't have means of contact...people aren't able to let you know.  I've been able to alert several, who did not know of the problem and change in settings; some have been able to fix the problem.  If you're one who's fixed the problem, please leave the instructions on the fix so that we can pass along the information to help others.  Please leave it here the comments and or email me directly at sandycrochet at gmail.com*  It's my understanding it has to do with a default setting that has recently been changed by google+.

This is what folks see when they're not able to leave a comment.  If you click on this it requires you to join google+.

Additionally, it would be best to facilitate return visits and comments if you did not use your google+ profile page, people have to go searching for your blog and click a 2nd or third time to get to you.  Please use the drop down box and add name and url of your actual blog vs your google+ page, and or use hypertext in your comment to direct to your blog, not your profile page.

The Cat is Chasing the Bird

Cat chases Bird! Corney but that's what came to mind as I was posting these pictures.  The yellow cotton washcloth with cat design is one I'll make again, but I won't exactly follow the pattern this time.  I think the cloth is a bit too small and the edge curls more then I like.  The pattern only has an edge of 3 knit stitches before you get into the pattern and I don't think that's adequate to get it to lay nicely.  Likewise it only has 4 rows of garter stitch top and bottom, and that doesn't seem like enough to me either.  So will be making adjustments the next time I make this one.  It's Kate the Cat Cloth by Rhonda K. White's pattern.  The shape however I think is good.  Sometimes with these shapes made of counting purls and garters the pattern isn't real noticeable, this obviously is.  I'm also wondering about doubling it to make a nice big square for say the center of an afghan?

Blue Jay, the name of this ghan...thus cat chasing bird, lol.  Well in real life the Blue Jay would probably go after a small cat, as they're very aggressive birds.  You can see there's still a few ties left.  I have 3 rows yet to crochet together then work on the border, launder and block before this will be ready to be donated.  With a busy week scheduled, fingers crossed I can show this to you next as a completed project.  And if that happens, it will be #10 on my list of YOP ghans to make from donated squares.

**Special note for Flamingo KS, I'm not able to comment on your blog now that you have google+.  This is happening quite a bit to folks without knowing it.  Once you sign up for google+, the only people who can visits, and comment on your blog are people who join up.  It really restricts people finding you.  Didn't know if you knew, and it's my understanding you can change a setting so people can blog with you like they did before you joined.  When you join google+ you are automatically taken to that forum type profile page and not to your blog, then people have to scroll around to find you.**

Happy Sunday, Happy Knitting, and Crocheting.  YOP badge and link in meme tab above.
(BL 5, R5)

Oh Friday, You are MY Friend

WOW, it's been a fast week.  I had planned to have my post written and scheduled and totally missed getting that done.  Been a busier week then normal, with promises of busier yet next week. 

• I make a really good Lemon Drop Martini
• I don't like fish, though I do eat tuna salad
• I've worn glasses since I was in the 4th grade, and started wearing tri-focals about 15 years ago
• I dislike winter immensely, and with each year am more impatient for spring
• I'm not an animal lover.  In fact, I have a fear of many.

 The above picture, lunch counter ladies is for your amusement, it is after-all Friday!  No one looks good in hair nets and lab coats, so we decided to make faces along with it, and heck why not play with the adjustments of color on the computer and really make the silly picture even more ridiculous.  Taken awhile back on a particularly crazy day at work while we were in the "test kitchen".

Enjoy your week-end.  Link and badge for Friday 5/Random Friday in meme tab.  It's fun join us.
(8,2)

Rainy Monday, Got Yarn?

Next ghan to be assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond for Homesless Families Foundation is Blue Jay.  The variegated squares, dark blue, and medium blue required 1 row of single crochet as an edging, while the light blue required one row of double crochet.  I managed to get all the edging done in the car ride as we traveled back from St. Louis yesterday.  This needs to be tied together so crocheting it together can begin and I think will need a substantial border to bring the size up a bit.  Currently it measures 43 x 43.  Should be able to add several inches to it once it's assembled, bordered, and blocked.

Sorry gang, I'm a day late with my Sunday, YOP post.

My Year of Projects List for July 2012-July 2013

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
SO, BLUE JAY WILL BE MY 10TH AFGHAN MADE FROM DONATED SQUARES.  IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF I'M GOING TO MANAGE TO COMPLETE SEA AND SAND, AND THAT LONG TERM CANDY CORN TO COMPLETE THIS PORTION OF THE LIST.

Other portion of the lists are not coming along as well as the afghan list.  The project for Darling Daughter got switched after I made a scarf that the colors weren't right, and switched that project to a sweater, which is in the works, but only have a portion of the the back piece done.  Need to rip out a few rows, and so have put it on the back burner.

Cable knit skirt for myself.....no hope of getting it done, though I did get part of my goal completed.  I learned how to knit cables, by knitting a scarf with cables, which is still in need of a good soak and blocking.

Cotton cloths for myself, has gotten switched to 2 Pay it Forward Gifts, and a gift for a friend who's husband has been very ill, in and out of the hospital.  Sadly, mostly in the hospital and she's in need of a pick me up.

Here's one cloth in the works, have completed a couple of others, which have previously been posted.  Hoping to get a few more done.  Worked on this some in our recent travels from Cols, to St. Louis.

YOP badge and link in meme tab across the top of the blog.

Friday Friday, Everyone's Favorite Day

Hello Friday (5 on Friday and Finished object Friday)

1. I drink coffee to wake up, but want tea in the afternoon, or tea when I'm cold, or tea when I don't feel well.
2. I like wine, dry wine.  Typically I drink White(favorite Pinot Grigio) to sip and Red with dinner (Pinot Noir).  I tent to like lighter reds over heavy like a Merlot.
3. I rarely drink pop, maybe twice a year.
4. I like Champagne, we always have a bottle with our traditional Christmas morning brunch.
5. I love milk and it took me forever to get used to 2% after drinking the real deal forever

Finished another little project, the traditional corner to corner Grandma's Favorite cotton dishcloth.  Little projects are very satisfying.  Need to make 1 maybe 2 more and get rollin back on some major projects again.  Had planned to make myself a couple, then remembered this would be good for my Pay it Forward Gifts, then found out a friend's husband is very ill and thought she could use a pick me up with say homemade soap, pretty cotton cloth and a card.  So, looks like I'll be making more then I had planned on.

Join us for Finished Object Friday and or Random 5, links and badges in meme at the top of the blog.

Dark and Gloomy Wednesday

Got the two areas in front weeded.  Paced myself and did some last Friday and finished on Sunday, then hubby got picked up the first round of mulch.  I say first because it takes more then several.  20 bags is what fits in the back of the Explorer and that's what you see here is 20 bags.  These aren't real large areas in front of the house, but I bet 20 bags isn't going to be enough, as I eye ball it.  I should remember to write down how much we use where from year to year.  So, perhaps posting here on the blog will aid me next year.

In previous years I would have probably weeded and mulch both areas in a day.  Can't do that now.  The arthritis in the knee and back being a problem.  Must pace myself.  Do things in shorter time frames, and then ice the knee.  Getting old is not the "golden years".  It was a pretty day though to be outside, sun was out; but it was still quite cool and windy.

Monday I did the larger of the 2 areas to the left of the door and about half the other side, when I decided the body had had enough for one round.  Mulch is spread much thinner then it should be, so my initial eyeball that 20 bags wasn't enough seems to be correct.  But, it's a start.  Will take several weekends for this work in progress, and probably about 5 more trips to buy more mulch to get the 2 sides, all around the deck in back and the 3 fence rows in back.  I'm thinking I might like to do away with one of the beds and let it go back to grass, getting to hard to keep up.

Having finished the basic square, side to side garter stitch cotton washcloth started everyone's favorite...Grandma's corner to corner with what I had left of the pretty blue, white, and yellow variegated.  Just started here with the yellow from my stash and am now at the decreasing part, so just over half way.  Plan to make maybe 2 more....shhhhhhh though, am working on Pay it Forward Gifts so mums the word.

WIPW badges and links in meme tab across the top of the blog, please join us.

Dark and Gloomy, looks like night instead of morning, more rain is expected....which means I probably won't be finishing the mulching today.  I'm ok with that; but hope to do it tomorrow so there's a few days between before taking delivery of the next load.
(11)

Almost Instant Gratification.

The beauty of small projects is you get a chance to let you mind breath, and you get almost instant gratification.  AND, if you're one to make a list you get to cross something off...that's always a good feeling.

I don't do many small items, but may have to start doing a few more.  Plus, you feel like there's more variety in the work you're doing.

And so, we have one knitted cotton washcloth, looking all springy.  After finishing this the other night, I started another; but this will be the traditional Grandma style, corner to corner cloth.  I know there's not enough left of this variegated to make another full cloth, so will see if the yellow or blue solids I have in my stash blend well enough to add when I run out of the variegated blue and yellow.

Enjoy your Friday, and share your Finished Objects, see links and badges in meme above, AND for Friday 5, as well.

1. I drink high test coffee only, mentioned that a few Fridays ago.  I only drink 2-3 cups a day, and only in the morning.  Always wondered how people could sleep if they had coffee through out the course of the day.
2. I think it's finally safe to say spring has arrived, people have begun mowing their yards, ours is in need.  I used to enjoy mowing; but my arthritis in my knee has me not wanting to do it now.  Guess hubby will do the bulk of it this year.  
3. I don't get why so many people have tattoos.
4. I'm closing in on being finished with all the blogs posts for the last of the 3 blogs I registered in the April A-Z Blog Challenge.  Got 3 more posts to write for the travel blog, X,Y, and Z.
5. Heard about a website where you can make a newsletter, that might be my big project for today....wish me luck, I've never made one before

Enjoy your up coming weekend folks.

Garter Stitch Cotton Cloth

Sometimes you just need the basics.  A cotton washcloth that works well for either a dishcloth or a washcloth in the shower.  Love the springy colors, and what's more basic then good old garter stitch?  I love garter stitch and sometimes it's nice to have something  you don't have to think about, you don't have to count, you don't need a pattern etc.

Having just complete another large project, (crocheted afghan, Iris and Lillie), I needed a quick little something that was portable.  It's travel with me to work, and is something I can easily work on in between things, and while watching TV.

It might go to Bridge and Beyond, it might be a secret gift, and I might be a wee bit selfish and keep it for me.  I've made more of these then I can count......but I don't any for me, myself, and I.

Happy Work in Progress Wednesday all.  Badges and links in Meme Tab above.
(15)

I'm Late to the Party

Hi all, it's early Monday morning thought I'd try to get this posted before heading to work.  Missed getting the post up for YOP yesterday.  Hope spring has finally come for most of you.  I have daffodils blooming which has me very excited.  And you can see Flat Stanley is also quite excited and wanted to get right out there and smell the flowers.  Some of you may know I have a Flat Stanley blog, and it's in the April A-Z Challenge.  There's tons of stuff there, so am inviting you all to have a look see.  Everyone learns with Flat Stanley.  Any of you parents, grandparents, teachers....would love you to get your young ones involved.  (ok end of my commercial)

I finished Iris and Lillies, and posted the final picture for Finished Object Friday.  Click or scroll back to see the finished afghan which is another that will be heading to Homeless Families Foundation through my charity, Bridge and Beyond. 

YOP List:

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)just don't know if I'm gonna pull it out of hibernation or not...sigh
Finish the Feather and Fan Afghan (knitted), that finally has a name, Sea and Sand
  **Sea and Sand in the works haven't worked on this in a couple of weeks

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.
Changed to  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.

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. No headway

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 Treddle Singer Sewing Machine. Would like to set up a space in the basement and use it some again for accomplish quick things for charity, No Headway.  Bridge and Beyond.

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

So, in the works is the a washcloth for myself, the green sweater for DD, Sea and Sand Afghan
**No Headway...cast on, knitting machine, Candy Corn Ghan

It's all About Friday

Combining 5 on Friday with FOF(meme's for those all in tab at the top of the blog)

First...the finished object.  Finally finished the afghan called Iris and Lillies.  Iris because of all the purple and Lillies because of all the yellow.  There are about 6 shades of purple and 3 shades of yellow.  There have been many pictures of this as a work in progress and people keep saying they like the black and white swirls and the yellow and blue.  LOL, purple never shows up well in pictures, though it looks purple on my computer I know that varies.  I keep referring to the purple, makes ya wonder if that many screens are different color wise, people don't read, and or why is purple such a hard color to show up correctly?  Anyway, it's another of the ghans being assembled for my charity, Bridge and Beyond from donated squares for Homeless Families Foundation.

1. Though it's another dark gloomy day here in Central Ohio....you might think you were Ireland.  Seriously, in the last 2-3 days it's gotten soooooooo incredibly green.  The grass is waking up from the it's winter dormat blah stage, it's been feed with the recent rains, and warmed up.  Very green and very pretty.  I hope the weather men who say we're in for a few more snows are wrong, my daffodils have started blooming.  The yellow dotting the bright green..........puts a smile of spring appreciation on my face.
2. Do to technical difficulties, our cable not working we missed the season opening of Mad Men.  We both love the show and have been anxiously awaiting the 2 hour special.  Feet up, wine poured Sunday night we were ready.  ARgh.  Thanks to the cable men ...all 3 crews it took to fix it on Monday and Tuesday, we're operational again.  However, not in time to get it recorded yet.  So, fingers crossed tonight we'll get to see it...or get it recorded if it's on late so we'll be ready for the 2nd episode.
3. I've been involved an April A-Z Blog Challenge, which has been fun, exciting, challenge, and some days disappointing.  You blog in alphabetical order everyday, except Sundays.  I signed up 3 of my blogs.  The point is to be able to finish...the challenge.  AND meet new bloggers, by visiting at a minimum 5 blogs daily for each blog you signed up. 
4. It's almost time to get my bike out of the shed, wash it, check the tires to enjoy some bike rides.  I enjoy riding my old cruiser, heck it's an antique it's from 1971.
5. We have a long standing tradition for Friday night.  I never cook.  It's always pizza night for hubby and I.  We might change what type of pizza we get, but 99.9% of the time it's pizza and beer for him, and pizza and wine for me.  It's the way we kick back at the end of the week.

And, now ...off to do some blog walking through the various Finished Object Friday Meme's and the new one I'm enjoying Friday 5

Friday 5

A change of pace for me today.  I thought I would do the Finished Object Friday Meme, though I don't ever week, can't get large items finished often enough for that.  When I came across this fun,  meme for Friday.  Getting in late as the day's half gone...but getting in.

1. Had an enjoyable time today meeting 2 Whetstone High School Seniors as they accompanied me to Homeless Families Shelter.  They are doing a service project with global implications.  They are to write about the problem, present how or why it happened and what might be done to make it better.  One taught the other to knit and they're both slowing working at making a scarf to donate to my charity, Bridge and Beyond.  I'm always impressed when young people want to do for others.  Good luck with your projections Anna and Emily, it was pleasure to have you with me today and answer your questions.
2. The sun is out and though it started well below freezing at 25% degrees this morning, I was able to take my outer coat off and open the car window a bit for some fresh air...sooooo nice, come on Spring catch up with the calendar, please.
3. Thank you NOT to our neighbors that seem to think it's ok to let their dogs out before daylight to bark and bark.  Not everyone gets up as early as you.
4. I enjoy Vodka in my Martinis, and hubby prefers Gin.  
5. I don't drink decaf...if it's not real coffee, what's the point.  I need it to wake up

(#7)

Easter Sunday

Hope you're all having a wonderful Easter Sunday.  This afghan, Iris and Lillies is about 90% done.  I have one more join to do, the bottom section; then figure out a border.  I'
m hopeful I have a couple of shades of purple to mix with the mellow yellow for a border.  Must review my stash to see and hope to be able to show this ghan completed very soon.

This is my YOP post, and let's Get Social Sunday Post, both badges and links in meme tab across the top of the blog.

When completed this will be the 9th afghan assembled from donated squares with 10 as my goal there's one to go.  Additionally I had the completion of the longest running work in progress ever.....candy corn on my list (just don't know if I'm going to get it done...wrong time of year is my excuse, lol), and completion of the feather and fan, Sea and Sand...which has about 3 sections remaining.

Hope on over to Oozing Out my Ears to see the yummy brunch we had for Easter Sunday.



**I have just a few hours left to decide whether or not to enter this blog in the A-Z Blog Challenge.  Check back tomorrow and see what I decided.**

8-3

Memories of Mom and Typing About Easter

Though this story is about typing, I can't really say the typewriter was this kind, though Mom loved the color turquoise and I think the time frame is fairly correct. 

It's been awhile since I've shared an alphabetical memory of Mom.

(Mom in purple on my wedding day, 1972)
But, with this weekend being Easter, memories of her come flooding back.  She was admitted to the hospital on Ash Wednesday back in 2009 and had emergency surgery in the wee hours of the following morning.  It was a long and difficult period in all of our lives, testing our resolve; as well as her's.  She died on what we kids always called Easter Monday.  I guess we always called it that because long before kids got a spring break, we got Good Friday and Easter Monday off from school.  And so with today being Good Friday, I find myself reading about the stages of The Cross, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, and of course Easter Sunday, and remembering  Mom as well.

There's more to the connection, but for now ...typing.  Mom was a strong, very determined woman.  She made things work, whatever was needed; though some of  her "I can do anything attitude" diminished as she aged; that is truly the way I remember her most.  And in fact, the minister at her funeral told this story.

Mom interviewed and got a job which required that she type.  She told a little white lie telling them she could type...oophs.  But, she was determine to get the job, and confident that she could do it.  When I arrived home from school, she told me I needed to teach her to type and we had about a week to do it.  LOL  This is before computer keyboards mind you.  Heck, most of my typing class used standard non electric typewriters...the few electric were reserved for those who were speedy at it...I was not among that group.  It's also pertinent to add...we did not have a type writer at home in order to teach her.  But, that didn't stop her/us.  We fashioned a cardboard keyboard on the dining room table and propped up my high school typing book.  Thinking that still makes me smile.  Yes, she did learn to type in the short amount of time she had, and yes she was successful in her new job...the job she retired from many years later.

( Mom and Dad at a nephews wedding.)

Mom at 16 in a gorgeous dress she made herself from dotted swiss, as was my wedding dress that she also made.

The family in 2007, at Mom and Dad's 60th wedding anniversary.  Younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, and older brother Chuck.

Mom had grown up a Lutheran, sang in the church choir but after she and Dad got married they became members of The Methodist Church.  In those final hours, she squeezed my hand as I recited the 23rd Psalm.  Later when she opened her eyes (briefly and the first time in a couple of days), looking towards heaven she reached up, smiled, and crossed herself.  Lent is 46 days (bout 7wks), and that was how long Mom was in the hospital, most of it in ICU.  She bore her final days with bravery while the rest of us had tears.

Mom's name was Miriam, I read today that is a Hebrew name that means 'wise woman or lady'.  I read that Mary is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Miriam while reading about Mary in connection to the Easter Story.

Miss you Mom
Happy Easter All

Working on Iris and Lillies on the Wednesday Before Easter

Am making good progress after the frogging of a group of 4 squares (1 block).  Top two blocks are attached, and am working on the 4th block which will get attached to the 3rd block, which will then get attached to the top rectangle piece.  LOL...Makes you think the hip bones connected to the thigh bone...blah

Normally, I edge the individual squares ( which I did in purple first) and tie them together and join in one long row, working across and then up and down.  But,  these squares needed a little more help with getting to the same size so (enter the mellow yellow) they're not all edge with the same number of rows, or even the same stitches; and I wanted a bit more width then the 4 squares across would give.  This seems to accomplish both of those goals, AND it's a bit less on your lap to work with therefore making it a bit more portable.  Currently the mellow yellow joining and edging of the block of 4 squares is muting the bright yellow a smedge which is helping to blend...I think the more mellow yellow in the variegated squares.

I'll be looking through my stash once this is all 1 piece to see about an appropriate purple to edge the whole thing with.

This is another of the ghans assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond which will be donated to Homeless Families Foundation. 

I hope this Wednesday finds you happily busy.  Those who are traveling for the up coming holiday, please be safe and enjoy your time with loved ones.

(13) Work in Progress Wednesday badges and links in meme tab above.

Going Backward is no Fun

I feel like the Texas two step....going backward with my work on this Iris and Lillies Afghan.  All squares have been edged with various rows of purple.  I'm using a different joining then I typically do.  Normally I tied the whole ghan together and crochet all the way across and or all the way up and down.  But, that means you have to have the whole ghan on your lap at one time.  I needed this to be a bit portable...so decided to work in blocks of 4.  Plus felt it just wasn't quite wide enough at only 4 squares across, so by joining the 4 blocks and adding extra rows I could gain another couple of inches.  So first block of 4 done, 2nd block of 4 done, and when I went to join the 2 blocks of 4.......they weren't in the right order!  Somehow I had flipped them and couldn't maintain the diagonal design.  Kept moving the 2nd block around to see if I could use it as it was elsewhere in the ghan to avoid frogging it....to no avail.  I've added enough rows that it was probably 3 oz of yarn worth!  ERRRRRRRRR

But, it had to be done.  So, I redid the 2nd group of 4, and now have those 2 blocks joined.  I think I'll be happy with the additional width I've gained.

 

Flipped this around, thus the strange angle but thought you might better see the difference in width I'm talking about.  This is the way I see the ghan being used, but had to take the picture the other way at the time.

I'm in need of unknitting several rows on my DD's green sweater also, just haven't brought myself around to doing that yet.  Going backward on 2 projects at the same time was just more then I was up to.

Year of Projects (11) links in tabs across the top of the page.  And Let's Get Social Sunday (9) in the meme tab.   Looking forward to catching up with everyone, as I've been a bit behind.

Crocheting and Knitting on Wednesday

Working on Iris and Lillies. Making headway with the edging of the squares.  Think I'm about 1/3rd done with the edging of these squares.

Some squares require one granny style edge, others a sc row after the granny style, and others, maybe just a sc row to get things sized up before joinging.  Working on this afghan sure makes me think of flowers, lillies, iris, and daffodils.   It's another of the afghans being assembled from donated squares through Bridge and Beyond that will donated to Homeless Families. 

I've gotten upto 16 inches so far on this kimono style sweater for my Darling Daughter.  This is the back piece.  It's grown several inches since the last picture (previous post).  Think and hope when this is finished the sleeves and 2 front pieces will seem faster.

WIPW post.  Badges and links in meme tab  across the top of the blog.  Please join us.