Knitting

Today, I had the pleasure of teaching two little girls from our homeschool co-op how to knit. What a pleasure I take in passing on a hobby to a younger generation. I started knitting when I was in the fifth grade. I taught myself using a bright purple, acrylic yarn and gold metal needles (hey, it was the 70's) bought at our local grocery store. My grade school teacher, Miss Selman, gave us time each week to bring a hobby to work on in class. She was, in my eyes, the best teacher ever. She, in an indirect way, gave validation to my love of needlework by praising my attempts at making a baby doll blanket, holes and all.

Little hands at work.

Here is the poem my children memorized to aid in their learning of knitting:
Into the bunny hole
Run around the tree
Out of the bunny hole
Away runs he!

Here is my "baby" girl still knitting today at age eighteen. She is designing a scarf for herself.

Blessings

A Bit of Sewing and Tea

I've been working on some pillowcases for charity. You can read about it here.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com
The local quilt shop I frequent is involved in this charity as well. The pillowcases are simple to make and add bright color to the recipients room. It is also a great way to dig in my stash and use up fabric that is taking up space.

I made mine with children in mind. A bit garish but fun.

 I have been dreaming about another one of my personal rituals- the making of and slow sipping of chai. I am like a chemist in his lab when it comes to brewing this spicy Indian concoction. I love playing with the wonderfully aromatic spices and the fresh slivers of ginger. For now this is the recipe I have settled on. I am sure it will receive many tweeks over the cool months ahead.
2 cups milk
1 cup water
1 1/2 Tablespoons loose Darjeeling
A 2 inch piece cinnamon stick, or there about, broken in half
9 green cardamon pods, slightly crushed in a mortar and pestle to open
7 whole cloves
A 1 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and cut into chunks
6 black peppercorns
1 Tablespoon organic sucanat or honey
Combine the ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover and let steep 15 minutes. Then return to a boil, strain, and serve hot.
Makes 2 good servings
Blessings

GO TIGERS!

"My"  Detroit Tigers have made it to the ALCS against the Texas Rangers. Unfortunately they were rained out today...bummer. A good break though for my family as they don't have to hear my rantings. You see, I have just recently been told by my loving husband that I am horrible to watch baseball with. I agree. My pessimistic side comes out and I brace myself for a loss even before the first inning is over. I think I do this to try to trick myself into not being too disappointed. Of course it doesn't work. So for the next few days I will be bitting my nails down to the nibs and continuing to drive my husband crazy.

Go Justin Verlander!

On a much calmer note here is a picture of some Christmas gift bags I am making. They are a great way to dip into my button jar and use up some scraps as well!

Blessings

Today's post from Wimpy Girl

The humidity has finally broken and even though it is 83 degrees, there is a faint stirring of a cool wind. So, I decided the time was just right to get outside and plant the crepe myrtle tree and gardenia shrubs that have been patiently waiting in their pots. I wasn't outside more than an hour and I couldn't wait to get inside.  I kept telling myself, as my shirt filled with sweat (there just isn't a polite way to say it), just one more bush and you can go inside, shower, and work on that crochet project that is so close to being finished. I have always wanted to be a pioneer girl; buy some property, plant a huge vegetable garden to live on, a flock of sheep to spin, chickens to have an abundant supply of grass-fed eggs. Instead, I am in the burbs barely keeping my raised beds going. I'm a wimp!  I did finally get all my plantings in and quickly said a prayer over them. The rest is up to God's grace. Now for the fun part, I have been happily crocheting this project:

 The work on the needles is a knitted edging that, when finished, I will attach to the edge of the granny square afghan. The pattern is from this book: Knitting Loves Crochet by Candi Jensen. It has many garments as well as pillow projects that combine both knitting and crochet.
 Here is a picture of a  little sweater for pooch. I am thinking about making it for our beagle, Amelia, a.k.a Butters. How she ended up with that nickname will be explained in a special post when she shares how she was rescued, cold and sick, and ended up in our care.

Blessings

Personal Rituals

It's beginning to look as if the season to dust off my Miss Read book collection is here. I love these books! They take place in 1950s/60s Cotswold, England, and center around an old maid school teacher and the quirky villagers who make up her world. Aaah... one day I will actually visit my beloved Cotswolds but in the mean time, I will continue to read and re-read these cozy stories and dream. For some reason I have certain books that have to be read at specific times of the year. For instance, Agatha Christie, James Herriot, and M.C Beaton's Hamish MacBeth series are definite reads in the winter with a fire going and a homemade quilt tucked 'round. Jan Karon and Karen White books are just sooo southern they have to wait for the lazy summer afternoons on the front porch. I call it my "personal ritual,"the little something that I look forward to that makes me happy. It is just for me and the anticipation of it is oh so fun!  I think everyone has them. They are little things, usually very simple, and are good for the soul.

Unfinished Projects

The weatherman is calling for a 25 degree drop in temperatures this Friday! Could this possibly be the start of fall for us? Probably just a little teaser. Whatever the case just the suggestion of autumn weather gives me a much needed jolt to finish those projects I started in summer and sluggishly put aside. For starters I thought I would bind these quilts so we can use them to snuggle under. Not a very good picture. I seem to be on a learning curve these days. Trying to figure out blogging without my children's help at the same time getting acquainted with a new camera that seems to have the ability to do just about everything but cook dinner.

As much as I am looking forward to a nice long break from the sweltering heat there is a part of me that will miss the last remaining beauty of summer here in the south.  My garden will be sorely missed especially the Moonflower which never ceases to amaze me. Every evening it opens up to brighten the pitch black of night. Their fragrance is an association with childhood summers visiting relatives in the Indiana country. Even the hummingbirds can't seem to get enough as they hover to drink in the last bit of sweet nectar. 

Blessings

Rainy Days

Today was a dreary, rainy day. The kind of day that puts me in the mood for fall. So as a little teaser I did
 one of my favorite things, I put on a pot of tea, pulled my knitting out, and watched a classic British film. The movie I chose is titled Brief Encounter starring Trevor Howard. They don't make movies like this today. It honors marriage and fidelity. I've watched it many times over the years and it always makes me long for the days when movies exhibited people with true character.  Remember when the leading man had principles and put his lover above his own desires? I know those days don't exist anymore, but who says we can't bring them back?



http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c0/BriefEncounter-TrainWindow.jpg