Another One Down

I have finished Saroyan and it is lovely. I will post pictures after I have washed and blocked it. This project started out as yarn gifted to me last Christmas by Alex but it took me several attempts at other projects until I decided that it was meant to be stitched up into something simple yet elegant. This lovely little goody will go to a friend as her Christmas gift. The yarn is Shimmer by Red Heart in the color Royal.. I haven't shared the best news yet- there is still enough yarn to make myself something. I'm just not sure what that will be yet...

Such a Waste

Some companies are nice enough to show that they appreciate their employees. There are even some that go so far as to bestow gifts such as food items.  This is my first year working at The Springs and I have discovered that they give each employee one Costco pie (their choice of apple or pumpkin). I do love pumpkin so that is what is now sitting in the refrigerator. There are only two of us and until tonight, there has only been 1/4 eaten. I got the pie last week and there is no way it's going to get finished before spoilage sets in.

So, when I came home tonight from work my dinner was another quarter of the pie with whipped cream piled high. They are really big pies so this was a giant piece. I just couldn't stand to see such a delightful goody go to waste. But, I still couldn't finish. 

This makes me think of knitting. I purchase the materials for a project that maybe is too much, but I don't care, because I just know that it's going to be a treat to stitch up. I then become overwhelmed with the whole shebang but still press forward because it's so good. I keep going until I'm sick and just can't finish.

The nice thing about knitting is that I can just rip out the yarn and start something less overwhelming. Eating doesn't work that way. I'm still left feeling guilty and having just gained a few more ounces...

The Morning After

Yesterday my family celebrated what we are thankful for in a very simple and quiet manner.

We made a trip to the grocery store to get ourselves some coffee (it was going to be a long day, and we needed fuel...) and lunch. Our family has had a lovely time the last couple of days. Andrew (my youngest brother) is home from Seattle until Sunday, and we have been catching up on his life. The rest of the family arrived a little later. 

Cousin Jeanne brought her famous snickerdoodles (and old family recipe), Grandma brought an applesauce mixed with quince (very yummy) and my mother baked the turkey and made the sweet potatoes.

It was terrific. When supper was through and we had finished dessert, we played a board game and had such a great time visiting. Here's a few pictures. 

This really has nothing to do with anything- but I got hungry before supper and this was how the banana peeled...see the heart?

This is the applesauce Grandmas brought.

And here's Grandma :)

One of my favorite things about family gatherings (especially at the holidays), is the sharing of old family recipes, memories, love, and enjoying each other's company. I'm looking forward to having children someday to pass down our past traditions and creating new ones. 

The one thing about Thanksgiving? Christmas is only one month away, and when I break that down into days (32) and weeks (about 4 1/2), I get a little twitchy; the knitting isn't quite done yet...

Give Thanks

Good morning my dear knitting friends. In just a few days many of us will be celebrating Thanksgiving. Traditionally that means snarfing down as much turkey, sweet potatoes, gravy and pie as one's belly will allow. If you are the type to indulge in such a display of gluttony as mentioned above, I do encourage you to just take a moment and remember to give thanks for what you have; great food aside.

Here's my list of what I am thankful for. These are just a few things, but they are the most important to me.

Thankful For:

1. A loving God that continually forgives, loves, and shows his grace to us

2. An incredible husband who loves me and my quirks (and accepts the knitting stash)

3. Family and friends that are so supportive and encouraging

4. Knitting

Whatever you do this Thursday and wherever you go, may you be well and be blessed. Safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving.

P.S.- don't forget the knitting. If you will be spending the holiday with difficult relatives this will help you keep from saying something you may (or may not) regret later.

P.P.S- Have a piece of pie for me. I've consumed far to many holiday goodies lately, and really should limit my intake...

P.P.P.S- Scratch that. I want my pie.

Cheers!

Yesterrday

Every now and then I have a day off when I don't do anything but relax and have fun. A day when I don't have to worry about the laundry because it's all caught up, and I actually know what I'm cooking for supper. Yesterday was one of those days. I spent the day with my mother-in-law. We went to a holiday bazaar and then home to bake cheesecakes and stuffed mushrooms.  After that, we went out and saw a play. One of the local highschools was putting on a musical of The Secret Garden. Later I made bean soup and took a hot shower. A good day indeed. The Christmas knits are coming along. There is only another month to finish...

Good Morning

Good morning my friends! I hope you are all enjoying this truly beautiful morning (if you are living in the Portland-Metro area anyway). It is sunny and unusually warm for a November day in the Northwest. I have just taken out a pan of freshly baked Banana-Oat Muffins. They are delicious and you can find the recipe here: http://travisjessjones.blogspot.com/2012/03/banana-oatmeal-muffins.html

My morning mug of tea is Wild Raspberry-Hibiscus and is just wonderful. I'll be knitting soon but I wanted to pop on here first to post some pictures from the last few weeks.

My mother-in-law, Julie and I baked homemade cinnamon rolls. They were delicious and were the perfect treat to kick off the holiday season.

This is my Godfather Butch. He has his heart set on getting himself a cowboy hat but has yet to convince anyone that he doesn't look a bit goofy in one...

This is Mike. He's one of the therapy dogs at work. The residents love him! 

These are the muffins. I plan to take them to work tonight to share.

I saved one for me first.

I hope that you all have a terrific day. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Whether you celebrate it or not, may you all be well, blessed and thankful for what you have.

Cheers!

Four More Years

Good morning knitters. It's a beautiful day- the sun is shining, the birds are singing, squirrels are scampering about...despite these things, however, I woke up a little cranky. Last night, President Barack Obama was reelected to serve four more years. While I am not a fan of him or his administration, I have decided to hunker down and ride this out. So, knitting in hand and a hot cup of tea by my side (I have found this is a good solution to many problems...), I will wait. Four more years. Imaging all the lovely projects I could start...

Have You Voted?

Good morning my knitting friends! I do hope you all remembered to set back your clocks one hour last night. This coming Tuesday (November 6th) is a very important day. This is the day when the US finds out who their leader will be for the next four years. To be quite honest, I really am not into politics- the bickering, slandering, and promises to do the impossible just annoy me. However, I do believe voting is important. So, I hope that regardless of what party you affiliate yourself and whether you agree with the issues that have been presented and discussed these last several months, I do encourage you to please vote.

Whether you believe your vote will matter or make much difference, it is important. Just promise that if the candidate you are rooting for does not win you will not succumb to a plot of anarchy. Sit quietly and knit a few rows and think about all the things you will do when you become one of the world's most important leaders and have all those responsibilities to handle.