Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Relentess Stomp!



I saw this on another christian blog...thought it was awesome!!!! I had to post it here to share too. What a creative way to share Christ! Too fun!!!

Friday, April 25, 2008

Kindred Spirits = Knitted Souls

A very dear friend forwarded this to me...Mary. We have known each other for about 23 yrs. She is one of the few people I can call and talk to about ANYTHING, and she won't judge me. She will listen to me, she will talk, she will cry with me, and most importantly, she prays with me, and we pray for each other. And she knows she can call me anytime, and it will be the same way with me.
She is such a blessing to me, and she sent this to me because we ARE kindred spirits in Christ. (And when I saw the part about being 'knit together', that was it, I had to share it here too :o))))
I hope that God speaks through it to some of you.

April 22, 2008
A KINDRED SPIRITby Charles R. Swindoll
Read
1 Samuel 18:1--4

God knew that David needed an intimate friend to walk with him through the valley that was ahead of him.
Intimate friends are rare in life. Often we have only one, occasionally two, usually not more than three in our entire lives. There's something about an intimate friend that causes your souls to be knit together. It's what we call a kindred spirit.

You don't have to beg a close friend for a favor, which was certainly the case with Jonathan. "Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, including his sword and his bow and his belt" (1 Samuel 18:4).

He wanted to give David something that belonged to him and was meaningful to him. Friends do that. They're never stingy with their possessions. Later, Jonathan says to David, "Whatever you say, I will do for you" (20:4). That's the promise of an intimate friend. You can hardly impose on an intimate friend. He doesn't keep score. An intimate friend is there to assist whenever and in whatever way is needed. Unselfishness prevails.

An intimate friend is a loyal defense before others. He's not a fair-weather friend. He won't talk against you when you're not around. It says, "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father" (19:4). That was very significant, because Saul was not only the king and Jonathan's father, but also, by that time, Saul had determined to be David's enemy. Yet Jonathan stood up to his father and said, "Dad, you're wrong about David." In fact, he not only defended his friend, he also rebuked his father for his attitude toward David.

What a friend Jonathan was! No pettiness, no envy, no jealousy. After all, Jonathan, as Saul's son, might have been the heir apparent. He might have wanted the praise of the people, yet here was this kid from the hills of Bethlehem, garnering all of it. Still, Jonathan stood in defense of his friend against his own father, who was ready to take David's life. This is what we might call bottom-line theology. This is putting shoe leather to your belief, to your faith. He stood in his defense because he was his friend.

Taken from Charles R. Swindoll, Great Days with the Great Lives (Nashville: W Publishing Group, 2005). Copyright © 2005 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc.

Lazy Person's Cookie Recipe (yummy!)

We had friends over for dinner last night, and I wanted to make some sort of a dessert...but I was also too tired, and not too ambitious.
I did a web search and at allrecipes.com (I think.) I found this disgustingly EASY - but really YUMMY cookie recipe. I used Chocolate Fudge cake mix, and it turned out delicious!

Chocolate Fudge Cookies

1 box chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/2 C oil
1 C chocolate chips

stir together the eggs, oil, and cake mix, blending well. Stir in Chocolate chips. Roll into walnut sized balls,and place onto lightly greased cookie sheet . Bake in pre-heated 350 degree oven for 8-10 minutes.

I did not write this recipe...and it is so good. I imagine you could use other flavors of cake mixes and add ins... the possibilities are endless!!!

Cookies were tested and approved by our friends, my DH, our oldest DD and me!


Thursday, April 24, 2008

Backwards Knitting - perfect!

I have been "browsing" Ravelry...oh, how I love that site!!! Casey and Jess and Bob came up with an absolutely brilliant idea when they thought that up!!!! Really!!!! I can spend HOURS there!!!! LOL
I followed this link, to that link, and THAT link to that link...and ended up finding out that someone has posted a video on YouTube on how to knit "backwards".
Well, for me, the person that does nearly everything backwards and does it better that way...I was intrigued! So I grabbed my current knitting project, a cap for the "20 Caps Project", and parked myself in front of the computer, and watched the video and knit...backwards!!!! Cool!!!! Now all I have to do is figure out how to knit backwards 'continental' style!
So - had to share this awesome idea, and also the website for the person that created the video and has many other terrific instructional videos for various knitting techniques (and crochet videos too!) on her site.
Enjoy!!!!

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Baby Daughter's wedding!


Yesterday our youngest daughter got married to a wonderful guy, which means we have a wonderful new son!!! They are so much in love, and we are so happy for them!


They decided on a simple courthouse wedding, which was every bit as beautiful as a large wedding, (and much more inexpensive...they are saving to buy a home, and this was much more sensible for them). They also decided just to have immediate family at the wedding itself, and that they wanted to go bowling afterwards with their family and a few close friends.

We had a wonderful time!


The Judge that married them was a great guy with a great sense of humor, and just made it all that much more special!!


Here's a pic or two of the whole family (well, all the kids, and their beloved Uncle Mike) and one of Ray and I with Kim and James.



Thursday, April 17, 2008

Feather and Fan Purse finally done...



Feather and Fan flap felted purse

I finally finished the Feather and Fan flap purse...well, all except the lining! Once I made myself focus on finishing it, it went faster. But it felt like I had it 'OTN' forever!!! It was knit from a pattern designed by Anni Rodriguez and is available for purchase HERE . When you get to Anni's blog, scroll down a little bit, and you will see the purse on the right side of the page. (She also has some other neat patterns there too.)

It was an easy pattern to follow, and fun to do. I used Noro Kureyon for the Feather and Fan portion, and Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky for the body and the handle of the purse. The only thing I did different from the pattern, was to add a single crochet border (single row) around the flap, because I thought it might curl or roll after it had been felted.
It's bigger than I thought it would be - even after felting. In fact, it didn't shrink up as much as I hoped it would, although it felted very nicely. I ended up running it through the felting 'process' several times, to see if it would get smaller. LOL.
It is about the perfect size that IF I had a laptop computer, I could put it in this purse and it would be a perfect laptop case.
In fact...IF I had a laptop, I would line the purse with a layer of fleece inbetween the purse and the lining to offer better protection for said imaginary laptop.
I really do like the pattern... I would like to make another one, but the next one will be with less stitches, and maybe a size smaller needle, so that the bag will be a 'smaller purse' size when completed. I'm trying to get away from carrying a huge purse/suitcase with me everywhere I go. My shoulders just can't take it anymore!
In the meantime, before I finish lining this, I might just drop some very UNSUBTLE hints about 'needing' a laptop (which will get me absolutely nowhere, because our "Money Tree" is only 'imaginary' too. LOL)
But it gives me a good excuse to procrastinate...which is something I am always looking for an excuse to do... of course I have practiced procrastinating so much that I am quite accomplished at it....

Close up of the stitch pattern

The completed 'oh-so-perfect-a-size-for-a-laptop-computer Feather and Fan Bag.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Almost finished!!!!

I had to go to the podiatrist today so she could check the tendonitis on my right ankle. Turns out it still isn't healing as well as it should - so I get to keep the -ever-so-fashionable-looking-cam-walker-boot for another 3 weeks. Lovely. Did I mention the thing looks like a moon boot?
While I was in the waiting room, I had pulled out the never-ending fan & feather purse to work on. Someone commented on "oh, no, you haven't been waiting THAT long for the Dr., have you?" So I had to explain to her that no, I had not...I just can't stand to be in a sitting position without knitting needles in my hands. Then she commented on how much she liked the felted purse I was using (I made that one and posted about it a while ago, it was the Autumn Felted Bag) and also how much she liked the quilted bag I had my knitting in (that I didn't tell her I got from Goodwill for a buck!!!!)
Anyhow, now I am finally on the decreases on the bottom of the purse. It is a good thing I got that extra skein of wool yesterday....I needed it. And then it calls for a 3-needle bind-off. I haven't done that before, but found some instructions on the KnitPicks website, and it doesn't look too hard. I can't wait to finish this bag!!!! I have some cool tye-dyed looking fabric to use for the lining in the bag.
I will have to get off my duff long enough to get a pic or two posted...but I don't want to stop knitting yet to do it! :o) Keep those needles going!!!!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Progress on the Feather and Fan purse

Last night I finished the I-cord for the Feather and Fan flap purse (while hubby and I were watching a "Lost" DVD. I have him hooked!!!! Yes!!!! We are starting at the beginning.)
I am working on completing the 'body' of the purse, and am pretty close to being done with it! Which will be nice, because it has been OTN for a ridiculously LONG time.
I had to take a couple of birds to the Avian Vet today in Green Bay, and afterwards I stopped at the LYS to get one more skein of the Lamb's Pride Bulky, because I think I am going to run out of yarn. They didn't have the Bulky in the color I needed. GRRRR! So I got the Lamb's Pride Worsted, and will use double strands if I run out. Hopefully after felting, the stitch definition (or lack thereof) will be the same, and you won't be able to tell the difference.
While I was at the yarn store, I had to get some Cascade Fixation that I NEED for a pair of socks, and found another sock yarn in cotton that was too pretty not to get.
DH just pointed out that its raining cats and dogs outside...and that it is a good thing it is rain and not snow. I can't wait for spring!!!!!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Feather & Fan Flap Purse

I decided to try and pick up some knitting again today. I decided to start with something that's been OTN for months!
So I dragged out my Feather & Fan Flap (Old Shale) Purse that I have been working on for forever. It will be felted when it is all completed. Right now I am working on the I cord for the handle. The pattern calls for Bulky weight wool yarn, so I am hoping that once I have it all completed, the I cord handle won't stretch like the ones I have made in the past.
Now that I finally understand HOW to do the I cord, its actually pretty easy, and is going quickly. I will try and get some 'in progress' pictures up soon.

In Memory of Our Precious Grandchild

These verses has been on my heart the last few days...

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

and also: Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens

Those two verses have been comforting to us with the loss of our daughter's baby (who was our future grandchild). It still hurts...and we know it will for some time...but I have faith that God knew what he was doing, and faith that there will be another baby in God's plan for our daughter and SIL. And I can't think of any being I would trust that precious baby to besides Jesus. He's already taking care of one that my DH and I lost in 1986 and many, many other's precious little ones that He took home to heaven to be in His care. We look forward to seeing them when we arrive in Heaven someday, and what a joyful reunion that will be!

I don't know what Heaven will be like, I can only imagine...but I know God's Heaven is going to be more than we'd ever be able to comprehend. I can't wait.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

How do I write this???

Our DD that was expecting in October lost the baby today. I've been with her and DSIL most of the day. Our hearts are all broken. We were all looking forward to that baby so much.
My heart is so heavy.
Please keep our family in your prayers.