Yarn Along washcloths at work and a wedding

This past weekend my two daughters and I attended a wedding of my oldest daughter's very first friend she made when she changed high schools as a sophomore, 10 years ago.

The wedding was held at the absolutely beautiful St. Augustine Catholic Church in Augusta, Maine. I'm not Catholic, I'm Episcopalian which is quite close, so I just love the opportunity to attend a catholic service, especially a wedding. I snapped this photo as we were waiting to exit our pew.

Here we are - "the must have selfie" at the reception. My oldest, Bree (center), is married to the most wonderful man, Matthew.  They live in Augusta as well so I get to see her often.  Michaela is almost 17 and quite independent.  So to have the opportunity to spend a Saturday celebrating with these two made my weekend (as evidenced by the smile on my face).  We had a great time.

Okay, now down to business!

Knitting:  Washcloths galore!  I'm knitting at work (at lunch), in the car, at home, morning and evening.  They are coming along nicely.  I even have two volunteers to help me! Two of my co-workers offered to help, and now I think I've given them the knitting bug.  How blessed am I to have such wonderful friends and co-workers.

I placed a large order from Knit Picks. It's their comfy sport yarn.  It's is so delightful to work with.   Softness that I didn't expect.  It really does make for a special washcloth, more for skin than pots and pans.  Because it's so nice and soft it makes me want to knit all these little buggers and I have yet to get bored!




Not spending a lot of time reading these days a page or two at night, but since the forecast is looking promising for accumulating snow this Sunday, I hope to spend it with yarn, book, tea and of course...football and family.

Happy Wednesday everyone! Joining Ginny

Yarn Along with an answered prayer and baby shower favors

Good morning all!

Knitting

I have some wonderful news regarding my sister.  More testing revealed that treatments would be minimal...like apply a cream for a while, minimal.  No chemo, no radiation.  They are making sure there aren't other places to be concerned about, but for now it's looking really good.  So, I will continue with the shawl, but it will be gifted to her as the "answered prayer shawl"  I thank you all for your thoughts, prayers and hugs a few weeks ago.  It truly lifted my spirits and the power of prayer is so strong.  I feel completely blessed by all of you  taking the time to send your warmth my way. Thank you! Thank you!.  

As you can see, progress is a bit slow, but this pattern is a bit more complicated (for me) and requires me to concentrate.  Of course if you've read my posts, you know I do a fair amount of frogging along the way.  But for the last few days, things have gone well.  I bought this yarn and pattern especially for my sissy.  I pray that I can continue to make it and that it will turn out as beautiful as she.

There's a baby shower in the future...So, drawing inspiration from Wanda at Reinventing Mother, I decided that I would gift two pink washcloths with a special soap bundled all together with a pretty ribbon to give as shower favors. I'm very thankfully to have good friends that are helping me knit up a these washcloths so I can concentrate on the many other details required for the perfect baby shower for momma and her twin girls. I can't wait to see how these favors turn out. I even pulled out an old set of pink needles for the endeavor...and yes, I have a pink terry cloth bathrobe that is about 15 years old that I hope to have forever.  I LOVE it so!

Reading

Still plugging away at Bringing Up Bebe.  I find the authors writing very easy to read and entertaining so far.  I need to read more....see next paragraph.

Reading/Knitting Nook

This past weekend, I had a thought.  I need a corner of this tiny house to myself.   I occasionally crave quiet, actually I always crave quiet. I certainly need a place to read and knit where I can concentrate.  I like television, but not like my husband likes television and I find it too distracting when concentration is required - I'm convinced this has to do with my many knitting mistakes and inability to read without distraction.  I had an antique/family heirloom rocking chair in the attic (it should not have been up there!  What was I thinking?)   So it occurred to me that I have the perfect corner for it.  Right in my bedroom.  So I dusted it off, threw the afghan, crocheted by my best friend Betsy, on the back and put a knitting basket on the floor next to it.  I need to find a floor lamp or a little table on which to put a little lamp and keep my books and some other touches to make it cozier.  As you can see, it's a work in progress.  The walls are unfinished and we need new carpeting - the carpet will have to wait until we no longer have geriatric pets...if you know what I mean. :-)  But for now this is my little space and I love it.

I hope you are all well and enjoying your knitting projects and your good reads.  I look forward to seeing what you all have going on!  Happy Wednesday!  Joining Ginny!

Yarn Along with baby news and a new bittersweet project

Good morning Yarn Alongers -

I'll start off with the good news.  The twins are....GIRLS!  Two very healthy baby girls growing on schedule and making their parents and all of our hearts soar with happines with every strong heartbeat!

We thank God for these two little ladies baking away in momma's belly.  I can't wait to meet them in January/February.  More baby knitting ahead with more hints of pink (mom still prefers neutrals) I'm hoping she won't mind a little pink in some of the knits from Nanny Liz :)

The bad news is this:  I received a call from my sister on Sunday evening.  She's been diagnosed with a very serious illness that she is keeping somewhat underwraps at the moment until she knows more, but needless to say it's not the kind of phone call one wants to receive from anyone, particularly a loved one. So as I absorbed the news I decided to stop thinking baby knits for the time being and start thinking prayer shawl for my beloved big sister (from here on out referred to as Sissy).

On Monday, with her and a shawl in mind, I picked up this pattern and this lovely merino/silk blend yarn.  The color is silver and it is gorgeous!

I bet many of you reading this have made prayers shawls before.  This is my first and I hope it turns out beautifully - and that my hands will work quickly so she'll have it for those cold Vermont winters.

There are two people in my life that are incredibly unselfish. My sister and my husband.  They are givers. Sissy is a Nurse Practitioner for about 30 years - a calling she worked very hard to fulfill as a single mother 800 miles from home and family.  I could spend paragraphs and paragraphs describing my adoration for my Sissy, but I think I will share those stories for the weeks to come as I make progress on this shawl.  A shawl certainly to be filled with prayer and gifted in love.  Life is full of change and challenges.  It's hard to accept sometimes - especially when the change is challenging.  My sister needs me...those four words are very powerful to me.  I'm the baby of the family, she's the first, I've always needed her.  Well it's my turn now and I'm going to be there for her for however long she needs me.

Reading:  Erika and I discussed this book Bringing Up Bebe.  I've always wanted to read it, even though it's been a LONG time since my babies were bebes (and I think they turned out pretty darn well!)  I understand that it's a controversial read but thought I would give it a try and then pass it along to Erika to see what she thinks.  I'll let you know.  Any of you read this?  If so I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about my happiness and my sadness this week.  I hope all is well with you and that you're enjoying your reads and your creative hands are busy as can be creating lovely handmades !  Joining Ginny