Mom's Iris

Though it didn't appear to be a very pretty start to the day, cold-dark-gray; this is what I saw looking out my window. Mom's Purple Iris's lining 3 fence rows. A few had opened yesterday; but apparently during the night and or early this am they burst forth with this magnificent color display. They were gorgeous. I looked out, then up and waved to Mom. I've had these Iris in my yard for a good many years, but the starts all came from her yard. So, everytime they bloom I am reminded of her. I put on a pair of shoes and went out before my first cup of coffee to get these pictures. You can see the dew still on the flowers. They have a lovely soft scent too.
Here's a cluster of them. They generally bloom a good while. Later, when it's less wet out, I'll cut some to bring indoors so I can enjoy them in and out. I've given lots of starts of these to others to enjoy as well. Aren't they beautiful!

*I post for Z-A challenge

Red Lace Finished...whew

Red lace if you wrap once,
but long enough to wrap twice and then hang shorter (my method, dressier I think);
and a close up.

Red Lace finsihed, just in the nick of time, as it's needed for a party for this evening. I don't like deadlines, sorta takes some of the enjoyment away from working on a project. But, if my work schedule hadn't changed, it wouldn't have been a problem.

I'm happy with the way this turned out and hope the person for whom it's for is happy with it too. Next time I do something along this line, I think I may like to try and work it lengthwise for a little different look, though the idea of casting on that many stitches makes me groan. The longer rows also makes it harder if you get interrupted and have to put it down...still though I think I might like to see how that looks.

Have you ever done a drop stitch scarf lengthwise vs widthwise? If so, how many did you cast on and did you like the result?

Much to do today, so this is a shorter than normal post. Happy wkend all.

Jake in Review

This adorably little Toehead is Jake. He's sporting a knitted Ohio State Sweater I made for him several years back. The sleeves needed to be rolled up, my questimation on the rest was pretty good. Didn't have a pattern, used the basic rectangle approach and knitted this on my Bond.
Jake here tromping through the grass with hubby. He loved to pretend he was mowing back in the day. Our plan is when he's old enough to really mow...show him the picture and convince him he still loves it. lol We keep the mower in the shed and we'd get it out and pretend we were mowing when he came to visit.


Warming up after pool time here.
Jake getting his veggies drinking V-8. He loved it, knew where I kept it in the fridge and would point and say 8?
Exploring out in the yard with is binoculars.
I always kept bubbles on hand which he enjoyed on our deck.
Nothing like a wheelbarrow ride through the backyard. I'd take a break in my yard work and he'd climb in.
First summer, before he got all his curls.

This is my Jake in review picture post. He's various ages here. Hope you enjoy!
J post for the Z-A challenge.

The Knitting Circle, by Ann Hood

I read this book poolside while vacationing in Aruba. I need to say I read it right after finishing, The Friday Night Knitting Club. Some of what I thought about both books is probably because I read one right after the other? They seemed very similar to me. Stories of women coming together to get through life by knitting. I liked and disliked parts of both books. Both had tragedies. I didn't look at the dates to see which book was written first; but...while reading this one, The Knitting Circle; I couldn't help but wonder if one was copying the idea from the other.

The premise of this book seemed to be when your life is falling apart, when you can't deal, when you can't socialize--you knit. That knitting in fact can "save" people. Both books have the people in trouble pulling away from people they know and love, from people who love them to find solace is knitting with what initially are strangers. Everyone experience grief differently, I just don't know if agree with the premise. I've seen lots of folks experience grief, differently; I've experienced it myself...but can't say I've witness this type of cooping. I'm not sure I found the book believeable. However, I've been fortunate enough not to experience what I believe to be the worst type of grief possible which is explored in the book.

I do recommend this book. I'm unsure if this is one I purchased at the airport some time back, or one my DD passed along to me. In retrospect, I think I'd like to recommend (which I didn't initially) The Friday Night Knitting Club. I think reading them back to back is not such a good idea and probably soured my initial opinion.

*Removing the word The...am using this am my K post for the Z-A Challenge

Red LACE

Work in Progress Wed, AND L (z-a challenge)
Red happens to be a favorite color of a certain SIL who's soon to turn 60. Summer scarves need to be light, lacy, open and I think this will serve nicely for all those. I rarely get cold, but still like to wear a summer scarf now and again. When you out in the evening, sometimes the cold of the air conditioning on your neck really makes the arthritis there hurt. So, a nice decorative scarf not only helps that, but eliminates the need for a necklace, and can jazz up an outfit. The yarn is Feza Jewel. I'm using number 8 knitting needles and a double drop stitch to create the open lacy look. I love the look of the yarn, it has a shimmer which makes it a bit dressier I think.
Holding this up in front of the window so you can see the lacy openness of it better. Though one truly can't hold a scarf still enough to get a good picture. It always moves. It's just under 3 inches wide.

This is my 4th start for this scarf. I had other yarn in Buckeye colors. I started 3 different times using it, changing needles to try and get it to work...after 3 tries with 2 different stitches and 3 different size needles...I put that yarn away and choose this instead. This is much softer also. The other I think would be scratchy against a neck in summer.

I think if I used this yarn again, I might like it worked lengthwise for a different lace look, but...then again casting on 200 or 250 stitches...maybe not.

Nunnery, Sacred Heart of Mary

Looking down the hill you see a cemetery. If you drove through or walked through this cemetery you'd see lots of Polish names. The red brick building on the left is "The Nunnery". My daughter lived there for 2 years. No, she's not a Nun. In 1925 Father Stanislaus Wikarski saw the need for a new Parish in Dundalk (Baltimore, Maryland) to administer to the every growing Polish population in the area. The area had been called Graceland Park Area. The population was growing due to workers needed for Bethlehem Steel, and large numbers of people working and living at Fort Holabird, a military installation.
Suitable land was found and construction began in January of 1926. A school with 9 classrooms, housing for The Sisters, and Church were constructed. In June of 1927, Sisters from Pennsylvania arrived and school began with 5 students the following September. Above picture is the current Parish.
By 1950, 600 pupils in 11 classrooms were being taught by The Sisters. In 1959 a new Convent was built. Through additional growth, more building was needed. In June of 1965 a new building housing 24 classrooms, a library, nurse facility, faculty work rooms, and offices was constructed. Enrollment stayed high throught the 50's, 60's, and 70's averaging 500-600 students. (above picture is one of the small but pretty stained glass windows in the chapel at The Nunery.)
In 1980 Fort Holabird closed, and the decline in enrollment was noticed. Bethlehem steel closed, and futher loss in enrollment took place. By the 90's enrollment barely reached 300. Grade level classes were combined in an effort to save money. In 1999 The Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth left the school and closed the convent. This ended their long dedicated service to the community of 73 years. (large dining room in the convent/nunnery).
A program similar to Teach America called Operation Teach run by The Catholic Church serves many under privileged areas in Baltimore. In exchange for their education, teachers teach in need based areas for 2 years. They're paid a small stipend and live in community housing like this closed Convent/Nunnery. The teachers pay rent to The Parish. The birth of Catholic Education began in Baltimore, and so the tradition of educating the masses continues.

**This is my N post for Z-A Challenge**