A new hat for oneyear old T. It's a Monkeysuits pattern, a sweater is on the way. Currently working on a Pure and Simple Pattern , which is so simple, a hooded sweater.

This was sent to me by my best friend in the world, Katie. She always has a sense of what I need, even if we haven't spoken for a few weeks, it's almost eerie. She is my friend who makes me laugh, but also let's me cry. We grew up together, had our babies almost at the same time, walked those beautiful babies in big beautiful English prams (when we were two penniless couples, with generous parents)---we go back a loooooooong time.

"MAYA ANGELOU'S"
BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to fall in love without losing herself..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship...


EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..

whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table...
or a charming inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

It's still beautiful women's month so ladies...........

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love Truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you Smile.

Did you know that it is "Beautiful Women's Month"?

In honor of that below is a wonderful poem Audrey Hepburn wrote
when asked to share her "beauty tips."
It was read at her funeral years later.

For attractive lips , speak words of kindness...
For lovely eyes , seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure , share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair , let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise , walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone...
People, even more than things, have to be restored,
renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed;
never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you will find one at the end of each of your arms.
As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands ;
one for helping yourself and the other for helping others.

My knitting has taken a back seat to my fledging business venture The Cupcake Cottage. This little business idea was born about 18 months ago, and never went further then an idea on paper when my sister was diagnosed with cancer. It came alive again with a bang when I was asked to cater a corporate event in mid-September, since then I've done two more events. I did not envision my "little venture" ever doing more than baking cupcakes for children's birthday parties. It took on a life of its own and I'll hang in there for as long as I can, catering for 50 requires more man hours than I have, but the big check is a nice reward at the end of three days of no sleep. I found it impossible to knit a few rows between batches of desserts--believe me I tried it. I have no grandiose plans, Martha Stewart won't have any competition from me and Magnolia Bakery can take a deep breathe they are in no danger of me opening a bakery a block down from them. If nothing else, it's shown me my limitations.
I am now looking forward to getting back to my needles. I have a poncho for daughter number 2 started, she asked for it and I planned to have it ready for her birthday, well I missed that, so now I have to put in overtime. I have so many things that I plan on knitting for Christmas, I'm excited about getting my groove back. I have severe arthritis in my hands, I've found it annoying over the years (had it since I was a kid), the latest flare up has been painful enough for me to see an orthopedist, who then sent me to a rheumotoligist, she claims the repetitive motion of knitting makes my hands worse. I've taken her advise and my hands are worse, so I'm going back to knitting to prove my theory that keeping them moving is the best therapy. Any tthoughts on that?? Okay, now I'm off to my comfy chair to knit up a poncho (all talk no action will get me nowhere). Happy Sunday!! And NO there is nothing for dessert!

Still at it!
Two shades of pink poncho and Wallaby without the hood.

In honor of Harry Potter being released tomorrow, a gift for my grandson to go along with his long awaited book





Miss I's White "Girlfriend's Swing Sweater"



Miss I's Crystal Palace Cotton Chenille Poncho in Scuba (yarn seceted by her, it's soft and cozy and HARD to work with)











So as you can see, although I've been absent, my needles have been flying, and I'm trying my best to keep the yarn industry alive and well. I finally invested in a ball winder and swift (all I need now is to be sitting in front of the hearth, in a rocking chair, and a huge black kettle bubbling away over the fire). I also was compelled to buy a blocking board ( I did think of making it, but decided it more cost effiecient if I just purchassed it). We were away on holiday in the Spring, I will post pictures and perhaps someone will guess our destinations. While away, Calamity Jane fell and broke my front teeth, had two black eyes and a fat lip ( I looked like a prizefighter). zour homecoming meant weeks at the oral surgeon and dentist---sounds like fun, no?? I brought back yarn, much to my husband's chagrin, my 8 year old granddaughter found yarn stalls at farmer's markets (who knew?). So Miss V choose yarn for a sweater she plans on wearing back to school on the first day, optimist that she is. I signed up for the Wallaby class, I'm working on three at once, five more to go!! Back to knitting the fourth poncho (second this week), my grandaughters won't freeze this fall.

I'm back after a long absence. I seriously doubt that the blogger world has missed me. I have been knitting and knitting and...............

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling




My tribute to St. Patirck's Day. I'm going to call this blanket When Irish Eyes Are Smiling because when it is finished, my Irish eyes will be smiling.

Life Lessons

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.

17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.

18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.

38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

42. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

45. The best is yet to come.

46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

48. If you don't ask, you don't get.

49. Yield.

50. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

A quick update, I haven't fallen off the earth. I've just begun the Great American Afghan, it could turn into an epic. I started the Moderne Log Blanket and then spent Monday night ripping it out, I was not at all happy with the way it was working up, a trip to the LYS yesterday advised me to go down one size on the needle (and I thought it was boring before!). I have finished the purl scarf and I have to admit, I just love it, but it is for my oldest daughter. I've done something I promised myself never to do, I have tooooooo many works in progress, and I signed up for two classes at the LYS. I need a ghost knitter!! Let me know if anyone knows of one!!! Have a good night. Happy Knitting!!

If I could do it all over again....

I think this accountant has missed her real passion (who can get passionate about numbers??)

Perhaps, I should just open a yarn shop, with a room with cozy chairs and hve lattes, cappucios and teas available for Knit and Chat sessions. Has anyone read the Friday Night Knitting Club?

8" x 8" squares for "Knit a square for Grandma Purl"

This a better picture of the yarn bra
Claudia's Handpainted yarn and a new discovery a yarn brand called Sublime
Pink and white for The Lone Knitter, almost done.
Blue and white for The Lone Knitter's Blanket Drive. Complete
A few of the 5" X 5" squares for "Warming Grace"

For a Young girl??
For a young boy???
For my oldest daughter, needs to be finished tomorrow, 90 inches to go!!
For "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" Afghan for Georgene
Ever see this?? The yarn shop owner called it a yarn bra!!!! She said they can be gotten at a wine shop. Clever, yuh??

My yarn compulsion continues. Our youngest daughter was hospitalized last week and once again off I went with my knitting bag to sit in a hospital room. I sat for as long as my mind would let me, and as soon as my husband arrived I was off to find a yarn store-------I had picked up the wrong size needles as I left the house in a hurry. Fortunately, I happen to know someone who lives in the area and was able to tell me where to go. It was FREEZING!! Did that stop me??? No! We went to a shop called Stitch Therapy, which is just what I needed, therapy. I was so excited to be in a new and unknown shop that in my delight I almost forgot to buy the needles! I found some beautiful Malabrigo Yarn in Verdes. I have it in my head to knit an afghan in the beautiful shades of green that is the patchwork quilt of Ireland, I plann to mix it with squares of my much loved Aran yarn (yes I dragged it all the way from Dublin) done in traditional Irish stitches, including the celtic knot and my father's surname pattern. This will be for my sister Georgene, I know she would just love it and I want to do something in her memory. My compulsion continued this Wednesday, I ran to the local yarn shop to pick up some yarn for the lone knitter's blanket drive, I needed colors that would appeal to older children. I think they are vile, but then I'm not a child. Yesterday, I went into Manhattan andd wound up a Gotta Knit on 12th Street and 6th Avenue and the devil made me buy MORE yarn. I need help, this is taking on a whole life of its own. I've taken some pictures, with luck I'll be able to post them. Have a wonderful weekend.

This was sent to me by my oldest friend, Katie. It seems an extremely appropriate reminder for me to pass on. My sister lost her battle with cancer in December, fortunately for me I did value her and still do. She will always be my sister.

For Georgene

To Realize

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.

To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.

To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.

To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.

To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.

To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
who has given birth to
A premature baby.

To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.

To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.

Time waits for no one.

Treasure every moment you have.

You will treasure it even more when
you can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend or family member :

LOSE ONE.

DANCE AS IF NO ONE IS WATCHING


I think that it is time for me to establish some rules regarding my knitting and blogging life. I think I have OCD as far as both are concerned. Yesterday morning, my husband (from now on known as The Silver Fox), who is recovering from surgery, had a problem with his incision and had to go to the emergency room. It’s not normal to think, heh, maybe I can fix this myself, ER means the day is shot. As three surgeons hovered over him, my mind was on how badly my plans for the day were off schedule. This is not a nice person thinking this!! I’ve spent so much time in the hospital this year that they no longer need to ask our name and the little café stand in the lobby knows that’s it’s a venti latte, whole milk, two splendas, not a good sign. The Silver Fox is fine, and no I could not have fixed it myself, but my day never got back on track, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to play catch up. I’m ashamed to admit that when I took his prescription to be filled and they told me it was a thirty minute wait, I opted to run into the yarn shop, rather than go all the way home and have to drive all the way back into town (town is 7 minutes from my house). I NEEDED a beginner’s knitting book for one of my daughter’s and I spied a sale basket of yarn, $2 a skein!!! Can you believe that, I grabbed up some, perfect for her to practice on. I found two skeins of Muench Tessin in a cute yellow multi, a skein of Rowan Tweed, in sienna, a skein of Filatura di Crosa, Zarabella in a pastel print, and last but not least a skein of Reynolds Utopia in a bright green. I asked why only $2, seems that the dyes lots changed or the ballband had come off. I think she’ll enjoy trying different things with it.
Now to the rules I have set up for myself:
No knitting or computer until:
Beds are made, showering done, completely dressed, kitchen straightened, laundry in, if there is any ironing from the” no dryer allowed” group, just do it, trash out, make sure dinner is given some thought (I’m notorious for forgetting to take things from the freezer, until daylight starts to dwindle, and I find myself with a frozen block of chicken or chops). Then and only then can I get down to serious business, knitting.

WIP
For The Lone Knitter’s blanket drive:
Blue and white baby blanket
8 X8 squares in primary colors for a little boy’s blanket
Pink and white blanket for a little girl’s blanket
For Warming Grace:
Pink print squares
Blue print aquares
For Knit a square for Grandma Purl:
Finish squares (not a good idea to do four squares at once on the same needle in four different color of yarn, to much tangling)

Waiting in the wings to be started:
For family:
Moderene Log Blanket (Mason-Dixon pattern) for my third daughter’s new house
Rambling Rows Blanket (Cottage Creations) for my fourth daughter’s new house
8 Wonderful Wallaby Sweaters (Cottage Creations) for my grandchildren
Socks for the Silver Fox
Purl Scarf for oldest daughter
Purl scarf for my second daughter’
Ivy sweater for my youngest daughter (élann ran out of the proper yarn)
A tweed scarf for my son
Irish Hiking Scarf for ME
A blanket of the shades of green that you see as you fly over Ireland (it always reminds me of a beautiful quilt, so I need to capture that) for my sister, complete with Celtic knots. (having trouble getting all the greens I need)
An afghan for my sister’s new home, she has become the Californian Dreamer.

The list is daunting and there is more!

Just to show you, there is more to me than knitting yarn...........well, not recently. Yarn is my rediscovered love.

I'm not just a pretty face...............

I recently was asked the question, "do I knit?" Well, yes I am a knitter among other things. I have over the years done: crewel, counted-cross stitch, needlepoint, crochet, theorem stenciling, sewing and cake decorating. I'm basically self taught, we lived in West Africa for four years and there was only so much reading I could do, I needed to do something with my hands. I met a wonderful group of women of all nationalities and we met several times a week, everyone was always working on something. For me it was sink or swim, learn and join in or spend four years, cursing the heat, the lack of water, electricity, the constant rain for six months of the year and the brutal heat and dust the other six months and children who just wanted to go HOME. There was nothing to buy there, so initially I became the resident seamstress, we made dolls and toys for the orphange. The first opportunity I had to get on a plane, I was out of there with a list of needed supplies and two empty suitcases!! I think my stash fetish began then, the fear of running out of something and not being able to jet to Europe to replenish!! Cake decorating came because there were no bakeries and when you have half a dozen children, they expect birthday cakes. A very talented woman, whose husband was with the U.S. Military Mission, started a Wilton cake decorating course. She was able to get the supplies flown in with the Misssion's food supplies. Try making buttercream roses in a 115 degree climate, not easy, if we had power every airconditioner was run a full speed, just to keep the icing firm enough to work with. Needless to say, when we returned to the States, I swore I would NEVER make another cake, if I could buy one. I didn't count on the fact that I had actually gotten to be a pretty good little baker and gourmet cook (what you can do when you have to!). So yes, I am a knitter, but I do have other talents, I've just run out of wall space and my daughters aren't into these "treasures", my son and his "Better Half" , Miss B, do seem to have an appreciation and I so enjoy passing them on to them. That, my friends, is a glimpse of a very small part of my life. Hubby Dearest is stil recovering from his surgery and has gone from quite and docile, to grumpy, uncomfortable and bored to death. I told him to take up needlepoint, Rosey Grier, the football player is quite talented, I got the "you've got to be kidding me look". Tomorrow, I'm going to start working on my escape plan!! That is after I bake Birthday cupcakes for Master W's party at school. How many parties do these children have??? No, I did not get much knitting done today.

William turns 5! When is a cupcake not a cupcake?? When it's a train!!

It just keeps getting better-------- Above are beautiful shades of lavender to purple
Spring! It's coming, it's here, this is Artyarns, Spring 127 and a slightly shaded pink and green
A scarf for me?? Or will I wind up gifting it????

Perfect for St. Patrick's Day

PICTURES , I'VE GOT PICTURES AT LONG LAST!!! A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE LONE KNITTER FOR WALKING ME THROUGH IT!!
My new yarns (Don't forget, I did get a pass for my husband's surgery. I may even get an extra pass because I've been house bound with the patient all weeeeeeeekkk!)

FINISHED FOR THE LONE KNITTER BLANKET DRIVE