Queen for a Day, Memories of Mom

Isn't this apron adorable? I wasn't looking for one when this jumped out at me shopping one day. Loved the pattern and style, looks old timey to me.

Starring at it there in the store I realized why I liked it so much; it reminded me of Mom. Not even because she always wore aprons, cause she didn't. Or at least not in later years. I do remember when I was a young kid she wore them more. I think all ladies did back then in the kitchen. Both she and Grandma did.

The memory that came to mind was a New Years Day long ago. It was always our family tradition to put away the Christmas decorations, take down the tree etc on New Years Day while the pork and kraut was cooking. One particular New Years Mom and Dad were acting foolish, playing around. Mom must have said something about doing all the work (that part of the memory is a little fuzzy, I was really young). Anyway next thing I know Dad's put Mom's apron on and is vacuuming and dusting and telling her to sit down and be "Queen for The Day". It got to be funny with them goofing around off and on all day as we preceeded to get the un-decorating done.

I don't routinely wear an apron, though I always do when making homemade noodles cause flour is everywhere. I always wear one when making tons of egg casseroles for Christmas gifts. Both of these projects require spending the entire day....really the entire day in the kitchen with rather large messes as I'm working fast and furious. So the apron will get put to good use. I sometimes need a second apron on these occasions when my daughter is in from out of town to help. So Mom, this cute red apron is hanging on the hook in the stairway by the kitchen ready and waiting. Even when not wearing it reminds me of you and the wonderful love you and Daddy had. This is my Q memory.

Miss you.

My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara
O=Ouija Board Memories
W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

**Hey since I know many who visit this blog are also knitters and crocheters, don't forget you can win free yarn by entering the contest over on Bridge and Beyond**

Making Connections

Through the years of knitting and crocheting I've made some pretty wonderful connections. Connections with people with big hearts who help charities. People who've helped me help the homeless on Bridge and Beyond is just one example. Connections with people on forums, mail lists, blogs, and social networks that help each other, answer questions. You've hopefully noticed my newest social network connection, The HIVE, I have the badge in my sidebar with a link to their site. It's brand new folks. It's a wonderful group of people who are creative and do lots of different things with their skills and talents. Artists who skills I marvel at, hobbyist like myself, and manufacturers and other professionals. There's beading, scrap booking, woodworking, ceramics and more. Lots of categories growing daily to accommodate lots of interests.

The site is fun, it's easy to use and everyday I make another connection, enjoy reading a blog I might not have found otherwise, and learn something new along the way. The problem I may have is spending too much time there because it's just plain fun! And, the other item I should warn you about is a growing list of things you might want to make when see the wonderful things other people are doing; you'll want to do them too. But, having said all that, I still encourage you to pop over, tell em Sandy sent ya. I love making connections and bet you will too.

The above scarf is one I made while traveling in Colorado about a month ago. It's knitted, a first for me with a lacy pattern. The yarn is cotton and I think will serve nicely for a summer scarf. Often air conditioning can be chilling to this old neck of mine, so when out at night a little something is beneficial. You might remember when I started this lace scarf.

Knitted Scarves should be for?

Finished 2 more scarves. You might remember when I purchased this yarn I blogged about how funky I thought it was. My intention was to make 2 fun skinny scarves for my niece for Christmas. I was patting myself on the back about how ahead I was getting. Not something I do with regard to shopping ahead for Christmas. Since this photo the one on the right is also completeled. Actually only had a row or two left; but had camera in hand for another purpose so took the photo a wee bit ahead of time.

My niece is tall, and young and I thought these would be fun to go with sweaters; more for inside wearing thus the skinny decorative. But, now that they're finished, I'm thinking of sending them off to Passions of the Heart; a charity for battered women. Partially because I think they're a bit short for my niece? Kids/teens wear scarves longer then we adults? Partially because I have time a plenty to make something for Christmas, and partially because I'm not sure these look youthful now that they're finished.

They measure about 4 inches wide by 56 inches long. They're light weight and quite stretchy so no doubt will grow as scarves have a tendency to. They were knitted on large #19 needles after all.

Opinions ladies?

Flush Party, Remembering You, Mommy

I've not shared the picture of this stone before. It's my Mother's and Dad's stone. You can see by the date if Mommy were still living she would be 82 today. This is the 2nd birthday she's not been with us. This stone is in the family plot in Chillicothe, Ohio; though Mom is still with Daddy at home. He'll have fresh flowers for her today, beside her urn and naturally be melancholy all day. The inscription, "Together Forever" is so true in their case.

This photo, a far happier time, though sadly not a good photo. Left to right, younger brother Mike, Mom, Me, Daddy, older brother Chuck. This photo was taken in 2007 at their 60th Wedding Anniversary. I remember her this way smiling. We had many wonderful times together, fun times, funny times; and it's always those times that I remember most.

And this potty picture reminds me of one of those funny times. Some of you know I've been posting stories and memories from time to time, alphabetically. This then is a funny story for my P memory.

The family used to camp, tent camp. We didn't use electric and many of the camp grounds in those days were pretty primitive. I would about bust a gut waiting- waiting- and waiting to go potty, couldn't even use some of the awful roadside potty's in those days. So Mom and I would get really really excited IF we had flush potties where we camped. On one family camping trip we were driving through an area to decide if we wanted to stay there; when Mom and I jumped out of the car, RAN inside to the bathroom and flushed every john in site! We got to giggling and told everyone we were having a flushing party. Dad was still in car when he heard all the commotion and laughing and wondered what in the world we were up to. We explained, "we're having a flushing party!" So, Mom when I saw this plastic covered potty seat in an airport recently, naturally I got my camera took a picture, AND thought of you. Somehow I think you were there laughing at and with me all the while.

Love you Mommy


My alphabetical Memories:

Other Memories:
A=Advice, Afghan, Apples
B=Bread, and Bernie
C=Camping, Creativity and Courage
D=Dancing and Delaware Dam
E=Energy and Etiquette
F=Friday
G=Gown (wedding gown), grape pop
H=Hammocks and Holidays
I=Ice Skating and Isaly's
J=JACKS, Mother and Daughter, childhood games
K=Kindess, something we're taught
L=Love Story
M=Memories, One Year Ago Today (Making Do and Mohican)
N=Noodles Over Niagara
O=Ouija Board Memories
W=Wow Mom, The Wisteria

Helping Women with choice of Yarn

These were fun to make, love the colors and feel. You might remember me blogging about this yarn HERE. You can read about yardage, cost and how the money goes for a good cause. These are fun skinny summer scarves, great to add a little interest to a plain colored top, cover the neck when a.c. hits it and bothers your arthritis and well...just to spruce up the night.

These were made while vacationing in Colorado, and on the plane coming and going. Great to have small projects for trips.

Nice also to have some small projects to work on inbetween larger projects like the 2 ghans I'm working on for Homeless Charities.

Also wanted to let you know you can win some FREE YARN, as I'm sponsoring a contest over on Bridge and Beyond to celebrate a 200th blogs posts that's up and coming. Please hop over and read all about it, get yourself entered and feel free to spread the word about the cause and the contest!

One has to start something, or maybe 3?

Starts, starts, and more starts! These are all small items, light weight and good to travel with. So, on my last trip I put yarn, needles, patterns if I needed them in various zip lock bags and those went with me in my carry on. After all one must have something to knit or crochet while on board a aircraft. I was flying first to St. Louis; then after a few days going from there to Denver, then driving from Denver to Breckenridge. Two flights and about a 2.5 hour car drive. I kept starting things in order to see how the yarn and the pattern I had chosen were going to work out. Remember these 2 from my post Adding Stash? Here you can see the beginnings of 2 scarves. The fuzzy funky fun one on the left for my niece. It will be part of her Christmas. Aren't you impressed I'm actually starting early on that? I am, because I'm terrible at that. But the yarn called out to me as something perfect for her. She's young and this pared with an appropriate colored sweater looks teenaging to me. The coral on the right, a lightweight cotton summer weight scarf for me myself. Coral, is sorta my signature color in the summer months.
And this start is suppose to end up being a wrap. You can probably see the yarn better here. I posted photo's before the yarn was rolled that I think show up a bit better. I'm a bit concerned though. The pattern says this is enough yarn....you can see the amount of the gold sparkle left in one skein/cake isn't much. I purchased 3 of them and according to yardage should have some left; but....seems like this should be bigger to me at this stage. Will have to play through with fingers crossed. The fiber on left is too pricey to use solo or to buy more I think. Plus if you read my previous post about the yarn, you'll note I got it in a going out of business sale. Fingers crossed this works out.