A Great Day For The Danes

Not an Olympic reference, although I'm sure the Danish Team is doing well in the Winter Games. I refer to these two lovely ladies that I am dog-sitting. I walk them twice a day (separately of course!) This is Chloe. She's 8 years old, which, I am told, is rather old for a Great Dane. This is her young companion, Venus, who is 8 months old. Look at the size of those feet! Between dog-walking sessions I am still knitting socks (my sock yarn stash!)

and trying to get going on some Spring cross-stitch. I finally finished up on these Prairie Schooler Spring farm animals and put them on a little wreath. I am full of inspirational thoughts, but not much is actually getting done!

More snow today. I see on the TV that there will be "no significant accumulation". I think we must re-define 'significant' after last week's 10+ inches. It used to be an inch or two shut the whole area down for the day. Now we call this "not significant" or "a dusting". Everything is relative I suppose. Just like I used to think our Bud was a "big" dog.

Nothin' But Socks

Wow, it's been forever since I last posted. I'm just not full of inspirational thoughts or profound words lately. I am obsessed with knitting socks though! As we are currently buried under 10+ inches of snow and more is expected this weekend, I am churning out the socks with amazing speed. Since I am not full of wordiness today I will wait for another post to describe the exact yarns used for each.

Carmella is the only cat who really enjoys all this snow. Makes for tough bird hunting when you can't see over the snow mound to the bird feeder. My feathered friends have been devouring seed and suet in record amounts these days, but I love to watch the huge variety of birds that come to the feeders.

The poor old cross-stitch pile sits there, waiting for me to get past this "sock thing" I'm going through. I have seen the newest designs from Prairie Schooler and I know they will be all the inspiration I need to pick up the single, short, blunt needle again.

Turning A Corner

My life has been anything but a stable straight line lately and it seems that I have finally turned a corner. And what did I find around the bend, do you ask? Why a foot of course! The foot of a sock to be exact. I have at last taught myself how to turn the heel of a knitted sock. I have been whining and moaning over this for ages. I gently fondle all the lovely sock yarns in the needlework shops, stare at the amazing color combinations, drool over the incredible abundance that Staci produces...but no results from me. Until now! I have had this yarn forever, Lion Brand Sock-Ease in a lovely color called "Cotton Candy". Well, it was anything but "ease" for me in making this sock. Yes, it is but one sock, not even a pair. I started it on Thanksgiving so my rate of production is painfully slow. So all of you dear, sweet, generous people who were so sadly left out of my holiday gift-giving, a pair of socks may be on their way to you........some day.

Great Expectations

No, not the book, but my unrealistic mental picture of what Christmas should be like. I do it every year as an adult. I remember those childhood Christmases. Though far from "perfect", they were always a day that was much anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. I don't know what it is exactly that I am expecting out of Christmas. Something more Martha Stewart-like? Maybe Little House On The Prairie? I can't quite figure it out. This year, being what it was, I felt more disappointed in myself then ever before. The gift-giving dwindled down to 4 people out of the so many, many that deserved a gift ( if not 2 or 3!) from me.
I try to step back from it a bit, now that it has mercifully passed. I try to appreciate something in Nature everyday, be it bright sun, snow or freezing cold. I feed the birds, savor the walk to the mailbox and admire the pine trees. Maybe it shouldn't be what I expect out of Christmas, but what Christmas expects of me. An open heart, a forgiving soul, a joyous spirit. A creative mind and busy hands. Gentle words and the abitlity to express them...out loud. Thankfulness for all I have and humbleness to accept what I can not change.

Accomplishments

My days are measured by what I can accomplish. It is on a more muted scale then in previous times, but I still need to move forward in some way.

Finished appliqueing the last 9 squares of a quilt and then sewed the blocks and rows together. Hopefully, the wide border will be put on soon. It will have a winding "vine" dotted with the stars and some crescent moon shapes.

Made a bird suet wreath for my mother-in -law. A very easy recipe of 1/3 cup (six envelopes) of plain gelatin powder, 1/2 cup of hot water. This is mixed on medium heat until the liquid is clear and all the gelatin is dissolved. Then add 5 cups of mixed bird seed and let it cool slightly. I pressed my mixture into a bundt pan to make a wreath, but the mixture can also be spread on to a cookie sheet and cut into shapes. Make sure to punch a hole to hang up the shapes. I strung my wreath on a wide red ribbon. After chilling in the fridge for several hours it was ready to unmold.

Nearing the end of the "Christmas Build-Up", which is my favorite time. Now on to the obligation end of the deal. It's not that I don't appreciate all the invitations, especially this year, but I feel more like staying at home in the quietness.

I must remember everyday: "It's not all about me", and just get up and go.

I have been so blessed by the kindness of friends and I want to wish each and every one of you a Very Merry Christmas.

Defining Who I Am

Forces of the "outside world" have tried to re-define who I am allowed to be. I will not change and I am too big to disappear!

A Year In The Life..........

.....of Roy and Carmella. Really, it's hard to believe these two wonderful little cats have been with us a whole year already!

A few stitchy finishes to share. The latest gymnast creation, Shawn Johnson at the 2008 Olympics;an adorable Barbara Ana Design I finished a while ago but just now got around to "decorating" it a bit.

I had planned a long-winded, chatty post and a few more photos but I just received some very sad news. Dear, sweet Annemarie has just announced on her blog that her father is ill with terminal cancer. Please stop by and wish her well. Her heart is breaking and I know any comments and good wishes will be welcome. I'm thinking of you, Annemarie, and praying for your family.