tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44835508420013047102011-11-27T18:50:12.677-05:00Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.comBlogger1531100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-44938814156849558492010-03-09T13:28:00.003-05:002010-03-09T13:41:17.625-05:00

"Green feet" doesn't quite shave the same ring to it as Greensleeves! But my feet are happy today in my new green wool socks. And my mind is at ease that after these long years I have found a use for this yarn that I love.Yesterday while the kids were at tae kwon do I finished the socks. Last night when we were all home again I cast on for another pair. I've never had this much fun making

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-89078916251019264372010-03-02T14:50:00.003-05:002010-03-02T15:20:47.734-05:00

I bought some beautiful yarn several years ago. I love all the green tones in the yarn. And there was a whole bag of it, enough to make a lace cardigan. The search was on for the perfect pattern. To my surprise, there are not a lot of patterns out there for finger weight yarns that get 30+ stitches to the 10cm swatch on US 1-3 needles. I did find some patterns I liked, and I tried both of

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-44352016895944359842009-12-09T09:12:00.003-05:002009-12-09T09:50:55.293-05:00

This dish towel is not much to look at, mostly because it is make of scrap yarn that I had laying around. But it represents a finished object, at long last. I needed something simple to make to get myself back on track. Last time I wrote about foundering in the doldrums, a knitting malaise. After beginning two pairs of socks and two sweaters, all of which were doomed to failure, I needed

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-77077464060821064422009-11-30T08:36:00.003-05:002009-11-30T08:46:09.158-05:00

I'm in a knitting wasteland. This week I've ripped a second try on a cable and lace cardigan. Then I began using the same yarn on another sweater. This time it was a complicated cabled pullover that was doomed to be ripped. I put it out of its misery last night and returned about 60 stitch markers to my stash at the same time.But that did not heal the dissatisfaction! I found an old project

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-31827794909619567672009-11-08T12:40:00.004-05:002009-11-08T13:16:38.874-05:00

Yesterday I completed my second attempt at Cookie A's Pomatomus socks from Knitty.com. They knitted up a lot faster and easier this time, compared my previous attempt in April of 2007.I encountered far fewer mistakes in my work, and it seems the directions became magically much clearer now to me than they were two and a half years ago.This was still an adventure, however. I used sock yarn that

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-82619804881181747962009-10-26T11:36:00.003-04:002009-10-26T12:37:39.428-04:00

I've not been posting, but I have been knitting. Through September I completed some Christmas knitting.Most of my knitting time is in the evenings, and the family is up and around for most of that time. So for a month I answered "What 'ch makin'?" with vague replies such as "Oh this is an experiment. I liked the yarn so I wanted to see what I could do with it." Actually it was a half truth.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-57067732069164234022009-08-31T07:12:00.001-04:002009-08-31T07:12:00.671-04:00

After a long break from any kind of lace knitting I found myself longing for the little needles. That hankering, combined with some purple yarn leftover from another project, and the Artist's need for a new hat to match her new coat led me to the Never Wimpy Wimple (published in Lace Style).I'm not entirely pleased with the project for a couple of reasons. First, the shade of purple is not the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-23698739630391688892009-08-28T08:33:00.004-04:002009-08-28T09:12:14.466-04:00

My daughter's new purple winter coat was the inspiration for some recent knitting projects. Near the end of last winter she managed to lose one of her pink mittens. The mittens were knitted following this vintage pattern with a little length added to the cuff. I thought I had enough yarn leftover to make a matching scarf. I followed the same spur-of-the-moment, made up pattern I used to make

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-29556938653459925592009-08-17T13:30:00.003-04:002009-08-17T13:43:37.020-04:00

I've made the fuzzy feet pattern four times now, and this is my favorite result. The color is perfect for me, the alpaca fiber content is warm, and I finally followed through on my intention to put soles on the slippers.I had a couple of minutes only, so instead of running to a yarn shop, I went to Joanns. they did not have any shelf liner -- I'm still not sure I believe that, but that is what

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-65031574544700102632009-08-11T08:24:00.004-04:002009-08-11T08:36:48.418-04:00

Just in time for laundry day, I completed the knitting on the newest pair of fuzzy feet slippers I'm making myself.It took three wash loads to get these felted to size. I'm not sure if that is because the first two loads were heavily packed and did not leave a lot of swish-room, but that's the most likely reason I can come up with.Once they were the right size, I put them on right away so they

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-13679872347670252412009-08-06T08:07:00.009-04:002009-08-06T18:58:18.637-04:00

This is the end of my Adirondack adventure, at least until one of the guys in my family decide they like Rick's sweater so much they would like one of their own. I am very pleased with the way it turned out. In addition, once I got over my rough start, this was a very easy knit to take along on outings because the pattern is so simple to memorize and it is easy to see exactly where you are in

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-45515245613343932672009-07-26T14:05:00.005-04:002009-07-26T14:30:03.801-04:00

I worked with a different kind of needle this weekend - the sewing machine needle. I finally got up to the fabric store to pick out some cloth for new kitchen curtains.In their last laundering, the previous curtains had some seams come apart where the rod pocket attaches to the main body of the curtain.I was not sad. I just didn't hang them, then realized I was happier with the kitchen with no

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-14095404577073088392009-07-07T09:14:00.003-04:002009-07-07T09:27:24.952-04:00

There have been several no-knitting days this summer, so progress on the Adirondack sweater for Rick has been slow. But I had lots of time to devote to knitting on Sunday and Monday. Now the length had been knitted, and I have about one inch more of ribbing to knit along the bottom hem line.After that, I think I will skip the sleeves and finish the collar first. It will be slightly less

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-72238093358517265942009-05-27T12:54:00.003-04:002009-05-27T13:36:30.721-04:00

...and a little past the beginning.The Adriondack Sweater was off to a rough start. After a generous handful of false starts I decided to email the pattern author for help. Within a few hours I had a reply and charts in hand to help me over the rough patch.As long as I was emailing for help, I had contacted a few Ravelers who had completed this project for advice. They both got back to me long

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-29148930669923248122009-05-14T13:07:00.002-04:002009-05-14T13:19:18.347-04:00

We're home again from vacation (I've begun chronicling the saga here) and I've picked up my needles again. Before leaving for vacation I bought some Cotton Fleece to use for a sweater for Rick. After returning I bought the pattern, Adirondack Pullover, and cast on. To be truthful I've cast on for this sweater six times since we've been home. The sun must have bleached knitting knowledge out of

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-50593774364949937052009-05-01T13:33:00.008-04:002009-05-01T15:36:49.358-04:00

The knitting is done of my version of the Shapely Tee! I've been thrilled with the bamboo and I look forward to buying some more.When I started setting in the sleeves with mattress stitch, I was not happy with how the seams showed on the right side. Perhaps because the yarn is variegated. The finished seam did not look neat, clean or professional.So I knitted a quick swatch to see how the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-20560710839907549322009-04-27T06:13:00.000-04:002009-04-27T06:13:00.922-04:00

The Shapely Tee is moving along quickly. If I have a quiet day I can finish the back piece today and then I'll just have the little cap sleeves to knit, some edgings to complete and assembly. So there is still hope that this top can come along on vacation in my suitcase.The bamboo is so light and airy, I'm anticipating the top to be very comfortable.I look forward to working with bamboo again

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-11427168824464342342009-04-22T06:53:00.001-04:002009-04-22T06:53:00.331-04:00

The shapely tee is coming along. I cast on for it the same day I finished the Artist's Career check cardigan. Unfortunately, in my zeal I omitted an important 14 rows of knitting between waist shaping increases and decreases.The only way to fix it was to start over.I had used lifelines, but I had pulled them out from the bottom and reused the yarn as I moved along in the pattern. Talk about a

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-88509502018866568492009-04-12T18:04:00.004-04:002009-04-12T18:18:35.998-04:00

I can finally show some finished photos of the Career Check sweater!I'm so happy to be done with it. And with the cold weather in northern Ohio it was finished in time for the Artist to wear for Easter.The Good:The woven pattern seems to be holding up very well with regard to resisting the stretch to which Wool Ease seems prone.The color is perfect for the Artist.My best job yet and picking up

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-25548012188689712022009-04-09T16:30:00.004-04:002009-04-09T16:42:17.679-04:00

Pulling into Dad's driveway yesterday I was treated to a pretty site. The magnolia buds have swollen and the color has started to show through. It is like seeing a promise that it really will get warm soon. Warm enough to leave the jackets in the closet for a long time. In another two weeks or so the tree will be a wash of shades of pink and white. And little bits of green will begin to

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-22956105363648371932009-03-24T07:58:00.003-04:002009-03-24T08:33:11.942-04:00

The Career Check is slowly creeping along. I've found this the most uninspired knit to work on ever.There is no problem with the pattern, it is most certainly with me. It will be a long, long, time before I think about trying to knit a garment smaller than the smallest given size again.Some time last week the sleeves were, at long last, completed. Then I could not bear to pick it up for

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-1883122645625099132009-03-10T10:46:00.009-04:002009-03-10T11:45:43.636-04:00

One of the Artist's friends gave her a wonderful book for her birthday, the Paper Fashions: Fancy craft book by Klutz. My first introduction to Klutz books was their Watercolors for the Artistically Undiscovered which the Artist used and thoroughly enjoyed for her art curriculum last school year.I will be on the lookout for more of these in the future. The high quality of both books I've seen

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-38921380819278029202009-03-06T11:33:00.005-05:002009-03-06T12:22:21.169-05:00

The Career Check cardigan I'm making for the Artist was not completed in time for her birthday. After completing the first sleeve, I tested it for size and learned it would be too small. The reductions I had made from the smallest pattern size were too drastic.I ripped the sleeve and began again. This time, I used the numbers given for the smallest size for the length of the rows. On this

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-34949648170795773462009-03-02T12:08:00.003-05:002009-03-02T12:14:17.711-05:00

It is a sad day for radio news and comment fans. I will miss Paul Harvey. Can anyone do a product endorsement that way he did them?At his website there are some nice statements from peers, big wigs and executives. But the best testament is probably the radios that would click on just in time to hear his broadcasts. My local station stopped carrying his news and Rest of the Story segments a

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-21802962134559323882009-02-23T09:22:00.003-05:002009-02-23T09:48:18.215-05:00

He Did it!Rick has opened his Blurt Shirts store. For as long as I've known him he's been full of good humor, quick quips and snarky comments. Now he has found another way to help others who share those qualities express them.Blurt-Shirts.com tells the whole story. You are welcome to have a look around and laugh or smoulder along with him accordingly. Saying what's on your mind never looked

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-38240500068942941772009-02-06T09:43:00.005-05:002009-02-12T18:16:25.819-05:00

I recently completed reading The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp. The dancer in me was intrigued by the book, and I came away from it with a greater admiration for Tharp and her work.One concept in particular that I was excited to read about is something Tharp calls Reading Fat. Little did I know I've been a practitioner of something called reading fat for several years now!Tharp defines reading

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-77129688307264259502009-02-06T09:12:00.005-05:002009-02-06T09:42:44.465-05:00

The new cardigan for the Artist is coming along slowly. The basket weave sections fly along. They are simple enough the I can watch a movie or chat with friends while knitting. The parts with diagonal rows making those interesting checks in the pattern required my full attention. The sweater also lost out to the Wii for my time several evenings.At last the two front pieces were completed.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-70338837628044775702009-02-02T12:24:00.006-05:002009-02-02T12:59:34.661-05:00

Here it is after noon already and I'm going on line for the first time today. I've not had a chance to read about any of the ads to see popular consensus as to the best and worst out there. So what you'll read from me are my own unbiased opinions.Also, I did not bother with ads for upcoming movies or TV series.The worst was easy. No close runners up, but a two distant runner up. Far and away

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-58545718544848522392009-01-27T17:45:00.003-05:002009-01-27T17:59:03.312-05:00

It has been years since I've heard the satisfying sound of a sewing machine at work. When I took my new machine to the Viking store to learn how to use it, I was too distracted to pay attention to the sounds.But today I got to enjoy using my new machine for the first time. I didn't have a big project to do, but it was a very important project to the Engineer. He received his first academic

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-39988424894676107072009-01-20T12:24:00.004-05:002009-01-20T12:46:40.664-05:00

I'm intrigued!At lunch time I opened my email to find a new book by Interweave Knits has been released. It is a collection of designs by Kristeen Griffin-Grimes entitled French Girl Knits. One design in particular caught my eye: Anjou. I'm quite taken with it! Hmm, by my word choice I can tell I've been reading Oscar Wilde again. I don't know that I've ever had the words "I'm quite taken with

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-7380447400687531862009-01-16T08:57:00.004-05:002009-01-16T09:13:26.109-05:00

My latest knitting venture is underway. Again I'm using a pattern from Knitters Magazine. This time, it is Kathy Zimmerman's Career Check cardigan. I'm using a pale pink shade of Lion Brand's Wool Ease. The yarn was on clearance (read irresistible!). Because I've had some Wool Ease garments stretch before, I searched for a pattern with lots of detail built in to prevent some of that. To give

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-67893619583805525172009-01-12T08:49:00.002-05:002009-01-12T09:12:14.547-05:00

Last week I had more pressing things to do than plan the kids' school schedules for this week or make their end of semester report cards, so that's on my docket for today. The kids have a very abbreviated school day, and we all got to sleep late this morning. Today happens to be the Engineer's birthday, so the timing works well for him!With the routine off from the beginning, I decided to try

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-65070108657701351602009-01-05T07:51:00.004-05:002009-01-05T10:34:56.348-05:00

My needles have not been idle over the Christmas break from school and blogging. It was the Engineer's turn to have a garment made for him, and once again, I've made a sweater for him. It is the same pattern as the last two sweaters, but it is the best yet because of the margin notes I made myself the last two times. This sweater is tailored to fit him perfectly, and I am thrilled with the way

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-40846423338967594222008-12-24T12:33:00.001-05:002008-12-24T12:35:05.898-05:00

Merry Christmas Fröhliches Weihnachten Joyeux Noel Hauska Joulu Vrolijke Kerstmis Buon Natale

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-78324028389269360112008-12-17T12:35:00.005-05:002008-12-17T17:08:09.474-05:00

I am in complete awe of the beautiful birthday gift my husband, Dad and brother gave me last night. There are not enough exclamation points to show how I feel!I'm excited to learn how to use the machine and best of all, the purchase price included three classes on how to use it. That is a good thing, because it looks quite different from my Mom's old Singer that I learned on years

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-60711913261328276742008-12-15T12:24:00.004-05:002008-12-15T12:51:49.556-05:00

Today's the day I get to wear it for the first time: Hooray! I finished it before my birthday! Last last night I finished the seaming in The Perfect Sweater by Mason Dixon Knitting.It is warm and soft and perfect for wearing around the house or running errands with jeans.I'm ready to begin another one with another color, perhaps a brick or a blue. Next time I'd like to use a wool blend and I

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-37818468548465843502008-12-10T07:14:00.004-05:002008-12-15T12:49:35.105-05:00

I suppose I cannot leave well enough alone. I'm working on "The Perfect Sweater" from Mason Dixon. With a name like that, and all the personalizing options included in the pattern, I thought I could follow instructions without venturing out on my own.I did just that until it came to assembling the garment. The instructions say to join at one shoulder then pick up stitches to work the collar

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-91419232099911626382008-12-08T06:51:00.004-05:002008-12-08T07:20:42.133-05:00

I've grown a lot of respect for everyone who can create beautiful jewelry and other such things with beads. The skill is beyond me!Last year when decorating our church for Christmas several women in our congregation noticed a large percentage of our Chrismons were either showing signs of wear or were broken. For the last several weeks some of us have been trying to make repairs or re-make the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-54021762120303965382008-12-05T21:25:00.002-05:002008-12-05T21:30:01.831-05:00

The kids put out their shoes by the fireplace on Friday, night December 5th.And here is what they will find in the morning!Happy St. Nicklaus Day

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-41168028765139746962008-12-02T07:08:00.004-05:002008-12-02T07:27:46.281-05:00

To date three of the four main pieces of this Perfect Sweater are knitted. One sleeve remains, then the rolled neck. I don't anticipate either of those to be too difficult. The time I can devote to them is less this month than other times of the year, however. I'm still hopeful I may be wearing the sweater by my birthday. A back, a front and a sleeve from the Perfect Sweater by Mason Dickson.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-12192211853181109182008-11-26T06:33:00.001-05:002008-11-26T06:33:00.997-05:00

My regularly scheduled knitting was interrupted for an emergency knit. It seems the Engineer has lost his scarf. I'm sad! I really liked the way that scarf turned out. I used up some acrylic yarns from my stash and used a pattern I had improvised when making a blanket a few years ago. I loved the way the blue and the green set each other off. It matched the Engineer's coat well. It was

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-85126436114783788062008-11-24T06:57:00.000-05:002008-11-24T06:57:01.034-05:00

When I think of sieves, which is not often, I think of kitchen tools and sandbox toys. Not so with my kids!The Engineer, when tasked to "Do something!" rather than pace the living room muttering to himself (football play-by-play) took out his sketch book.He drew a picture of himself as the birthday boy at a party on one page. After he had gone to bed I found this on the second page:When I was

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-70338378663996017702008-11-20T06:34:00.000-05:002008-11-20T06:34:00.517-05:00

Is there such an animal as the perfect sweater?I hope to be able to answer that in the affirmative in a few weeks. This pattern from Mason Dickson has been waiting in a file in my drawer for a couple of years.The fancy intricate knits are fun, beautiful, alluring, etc. But when I open my dresser drawer I see more dressy items than every-day, work-around-the-house, goes-with-blue-jeans

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-28741716768287001222008-11-17T08:35:00.006-05:002008-11-17T12:30:19.580-05:00

Last time I wrote about the Red Velvet Trellis I had just begun. Now the pieces are all completed, including that tricky collar.I made it hard on myself by leaving it home when I traveled. There was no way I would risk having this work confiscated in case someone didn't like those needles or tiny scissors in my checked bag.When I returned home and got back to work, I had lost my place in the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-24304168993288300102008-11-14T12:45:00.009-05:002008-11-14T13:39:13.338-05:00

Before heading out to California I checked out some yarn shops near the hotel zip code. The closest one that was open at the time I had available to browse was Sit and Stitch.It was a very short drive from the hotel and it showed us a nice area where we could come back with the family and dine later that day.I knew I wanted to come home with yarn. More specifically I wanted to come home with

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-29675929382829661642008-11-13T16:08:00.001-05:002008-11-13T16:09:51.862-05:00

We arrived home from California and are trying to settle back into a routine. The souvenir I hoped to bring home was yarn and I achieved my goal. Photos soon!

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-35934644228963543042008-10-31T07:46:00.004-04:002008-10-31T08:14:15.323-04:00

While driving around town with the Engineer the other day I was quizzing him on spelling his address, knowing his phone number, and such things. Then I asked him where our family's fire emergency meeting place is. He didn't know. Time to review!Yesterday, after school, we reviewed the escape routes from each room of the house. Then we tested all the smoke alarms. Knowing how the Engineer is

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-29067861005993245552008-10-27T14:01:00.007-04:002008-10-28T08:00:27.028-04:00

I'm off on a new knitting adventure! This time, I'm making a 18-month size cardigan for a friend. I've made this pattern before (Trellis from Knitty dot com, in my sidebar) but this time the look is different.This time I'm using a deep, rich garnet red color from Knit Picks called Red Velvet Cake. It is so warm and such a delight to the eyes, I might order some more to keep on hand. This is a

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-88833503427944439222008-10-24T06:50:00.001-04:002008-10-24T10:07:49.504-04:00

Late on a Saturday night I stayed up sewing the buttons onto my new cardigan. Then Sunday morning had a distinct chill in the air so I wore my new sweater to church. I realized I have several skirts and pants the sweater will coordinate with. As our church building is very cold inside, I might make it a regular part of my Sunday wardrobe. Later, I had some help with photos.The pattern of the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-68273770114574545742008-10-16T06:01:00.001-04:002008-10-16T13:45:38.386-04:00

Who are they?Rick and some of his buddies!Men of Genius' style is "energy rock with an emphasis on the 90s and today". Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam, Finger 11, and Kiss are some of the bands they cover.Men of Genius will have their debut on October 25th, 2008. The band will provide the entertainment for a private 40th birthday party. Rick is excited as the gig was just confirmed in his email as I

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-53031968863342112942008-10-15T06:17:00.001-04:002008-10-15T06:17:00.826-04:00

A big "Thank you!" to Melissa Leapman and her instructional DVD on crochet. With her help I learned what I needed to know to complete my Lines & Vines project. In answer to my musing from last week... Yes! I surprise myself my saying I think I am just about as pleased with myself as the lady on the DVD cover is with herself.After a few minutes with the video and with my practice swatch I was

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-61084670826169210982008-10-14T06:38:00.002-04:002008-10-14T17:06:18.730-04:00

Rick and I have taken the opportunity of the debates to give the Artist exposure to American political behavior. She has asked some great questions and offered some interesting observations.Additionally, when Rick filled out his mail-in ballot, he discussed with her how he did his research on the computer. At a meal time, we all discussed why he voted the way he did on various state issues and

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-10644506331878541592008-10-13T06:14:00.000-04:002008-10-13T06:14:04.964-04:00

Just in time for election season, my email word of the day is:Legerdemain.I love the irony.The word is defined as: slight of hand; a skillful display of trickery or artful deception.Recently Rick and I received our ballots in the mail. So that day I set aside to read the wording on the issues and look up all those judges is drawing nearer. The only state issued I've been hearing about on ads

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-52515239967485074682008-10-10T06:09:00.000-04:002008-10-10T06:09:01.094-04:00

It has been a long time since I'd paid any attention to the jar of sourdough starter in the back of my refrigerator. At least once a week I've tried to remember to change the water and feed it some fresh flour. The water would be pretty dark and ikky looking when I would pour it off.But Tuesday afternoon I took out the starter, gave it some granulated sugar, a spot on the counter top, and a

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-40222026386639458932008-10-09T06:47:00.000-04:002008-10-09T06:47:00.503-04:00

Finally, those sleeves are completed! And I am so glad I did frog the one and begin again. Tuesday night I put away the knitting needles and took out the yarn needle to begin seaming.While the most boring debate in history was on the TV, I was happy to have something else to concentrate on.One of the crochet tutorials I ordered from the library has arrived. We shall see if I'm as pleased with

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-45953809202789729882008-10-08T06:23:00.001-04:002008-10-08T06:23:01.474-04:00

I don't think the kids played dress up all summer long. But now the cooler air is here and school is in session.The time it takes to put shoes on is seen as a serious infringement on valuable recess time. So more often the Engineer is opting for indoor recess. With a TV ban in place for a while he has turned to his dress up box. I love to see him pretending and playing with these toys. This boy

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-45401408650613587242008-10-07T06:52:00.000-04:002008-10-07T06:52:00.982-04:00

It has been several years since we have been to a football game. The Engineer was not born yet last time we went. This weekend we broke our streak and had a blast.We went to see the 5 and 1 St. Ignatius Wildcats take on the 4 and 2 Warren G. Harding Raiders. It was a beautiful, clear night, not too cold, and the home grandstand was packed with excited fans.We brought a friend and fellow

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-42166760650362840632008-10-06T06:29:00.000-04:002008-10-06T06:29:00.431-04:00

These are some old favorites. George and Martha Washington were acquired on a trip to Mount Vernon, Washington's home.I remember being somewhat disturbed to discover that the George doll and the Martha doll were identical but for their clothing. Their faces and hands are exactly the same. It looks like somewhere along the line I tried to rub off some of Martha's rouge. I don't remember doing

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-89365600933063394432008-10-03T06:35:00.001-04:002008-10-03T06:35:00.914-04:00

The Lines & Vines sleeves are on track again. Starting over was the best thing to do. I have kept up with careful notes what I did on one sleeve and then highlighted each note in marker when it was successfully completed on the second sleeve.I still love the yarn and the pattern. I find myself wishing it was completed already so I could wear it, but I will not let that feeling rush me.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-81112039839897424722008-10-02T06:15:00.000-04:002008-10-02T06:15:00.492-04:00

Rick and I had an interesting discussion the other day about the way some corporations are perceived. Rick noted that it is perfectly acceptable for the consumer to pay high prices for the more fuel efficient autos? The automakers have invested millions in research and development to bring these better cars to market, and naturally, consumers pay premium prices for a cutting edge, product. It is

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-77819496708359128692008-10-01T06:23:00.000-04:002008-10-01T06:23:00.598-04:00

Last Autumn Rick and the kids brought home some large pumpkins from their trip to the pumpkin patch. We gorged ourselves on toasted pumpkin seeds. Don't be mistaken, that is the real reason for buying so much pumpkin! Those huge pumpkins made a lot of puree, 23 cups to be precise.We also enjoyed lots of pumpkin soup through the cold winter days. Occasionally I'd make some pumpkin bread too.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-68084518431283512882008-09-30T07:13:00.005-04:002008-09-30T14:23:54.414-04:00

Today early voting begins in Ohio. Not just for voters who will be unable to cast ballots in their districts on November 4th, but for every voter. I am not criticizing the use of early voting by those who are working away from home, traveling, etc. Thankfully, same-day voter registration and ballot casting is not the law in Ohio (yet). The opportunities for fraud that early voting brings

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-35651683204936453842008-09-29T06:00:00.000-04:002008-09-29T06:00:00.861-04:00

I recently had a most disturbing talk with my next door neighbor and friend. She had been receiving calls from a collections agency. But, get this, she was not the one owing money!The collection agent wanted my neighbor-friend to go across the street to her (and therefore also my) neighbor--I'll call her L-- and speak to L on the collection company's behalf. I balked, "Are you kidding me?!?!"

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-33492617513827427682008-09-26T06:46:00.000-04:002008-09-26T06:46:00.889-04:00

I should know myself better by now. Last night I worked a little more on the second sleeve to the Lines and Vines cardigan. Then I took out the first sleeve to compare the two. Then I frogged both of them and rewound the yarn.I could feel my dissatisfaction with the sleeves growing with each row I knit.I began again, this time making some changes. First, I went to circular needles knitting

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-16458016580509338232008-09-25T06:48:00.001-04:002008-09-25T06:48:00.946-04:00

Work on the cardigan is slower than I anticipated. The fronts and back were largely uncomplicated. The sleeves are definitely challenging me.Here the fronts and back are joined at the shoulder, waiting for side seams to give them a little more body and buttons on the front to open the pattern work. One sleeve is completed, and I really like the way the pattern looks. The increases are the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-3490884955264832512008-09-24T06:55:00.000-04:002008-09-24T06:55:01.180-04:00

The bathroom drain had been slow for a while. For the last couple of years I'd empty a few bottles of clog solvent into the sink every year.Then last week a break happened and instead of a slow drain we had water in the basement. A quick check under the sink showed nothing. It was ancient-bone-in-the-desert-sand dry. That can be good or it can mean we need to cut into the wall.When the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-10479429687057125722008-09-23T06:13:00.003-04:002008-09-23T09:30:22.231-04:00

As I write this post recent big news was a pole that placed McCain ahead of Obama by about 8 points. This is rather unheard of in Ohio -- for a pole this far ahead of the election to be so definitive is unusual. Ohio usually has the candidates within two or three points of each other right up to the election.Yesterday I was called again to participate in a pole, this time by Rasmussen. The

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-47974312445347462132008-09-22T06:14:00.001-04:002008-09-22T08:15:50.084-04:00

The kids and I played hooky for a little while one day last week. We took our lunch hour plus a little extra and visited a local raspberry farm. We have a black raspberry bush that survived the snows last winter, but the crop left much to be desired. In fact, here you see the total crop! Four, count them, berries and one of them misshapen. I think the birds got all four of them.Approaching

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-70052228104626550492008-09-19T06:40:00.001-04:002008-09-19T06:40:01.691-04:00

Ike was such an amazing and powerful storm. It's center passed right over northeast Ohio on Sunday evening, a few days after it created major detestation in Galveston. The power of these storms and the widespread destruction they leave in their wakes are still mostly incomprehensible to me. Seeing New Orleans struggle after Katrina as a visitor, and safely browsing photos of Ike's damage

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-81861097157439522082008-09-18T06:38:00.001-04:002008-09-18T06:38:00.554-04:00

The second full week of school brought me two sick kids. The timing is certainly suspect, but the symptoms all too real. Now, where did that tissue box get to?Over the summer lesson plans are absent from my routine. Last year was the first year I wrote detailed lesson plans and it worked out well. It helped me keep on track and helped me see exactly how much I intended to cram into a day.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-31504795645730037562008-09-17T06:15:00.001-04:002008-09-25T13:18:48.082-04:00

Staying up late to knit has not been too productive lately. I had a mild disaster last week, that ended with frogging the entire back panel of the cardigan I'm making. since that time I have made it back to the point where I discovered the error.Thinking I didn't want to repeat that disaster, however mild, I checked my work after each pattern repeat, and placed a lifeline after each pair of

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-14812290525315071402008-09-16T06:29:00.000-04:002008-09-16T06:29:01.035-04:00

Rick brother and his fiancee are getting married in Los Angeles in a couple of months and the emails regarding wedding plans are flying around almost daily.My brother-in-law and his fiancee are rock-n-rollers and his band is based in Hollywood. The theme for the style of this wedding is rock-n-roll/old Hollywood.I still have no idea what I'm going to wear, but the flower girl dress is bought,

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-63835291571400213762008-09-15T06:22:00.001-04:002008-09-15T06:22:00.311-04:00

Last week I spied some salmon steaks at the grocery and I've had an irresistible craving for salmon since then. I gave in and made some salmon mousse. My family enjoys this as an hors d'oeuvre on special occasions, but I could eat it as a meal.1 can (15.5 oz) salmon, drained and flaked1 medium stalk celery1-4 cup chopped green onions with tops1.5 cups half and half (I used 2% milk)2

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-34970539411342690482008-09-12T06:05:00.002-04:002008-09-12T06:05:00.604-04:00

This is the year I turn 40. It must be a magical age in the land of public relations specialists and statisticians. Despite being a voter in every election and primary and special election since my 18th birthday, I had only been called to participate in a poll once before this week.This week I received two calls in one day! A radio surveyor wanted to know which stations I listened to in the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-61544983053586201712008-09-11T06:30:00.000-04:002008-09-11T06:30:00.235-04:00

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-37422790235792518122008-09-10T06:01:00.002-04:002008-09-10T06:01:00.628-04:00

I was feeling a little brave and enough removed from the shock of discovering my error on the back of Lines and Vines to begin unraveling some stitches. Unraveling a swath five stitches wide, a huge, ugly gash grew in the fabric. My confidence immediately was shaken. I wasn't brave, I'd acted brazenly! Now I would be stuck with the results of my rash action. Wielding my crochet hook I

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-91180509897211784832008-09-09T06:14:00.001-04:002008-09-09T07:31:36.196-04:00

Things were humming along splendidly on the Lines and Vines cardigan. The left and right front sections are completed. The pattern is not too difficult to remember. This color will be so very wearable for me, and I'm still as excited about the alpaca/cotton blend as I was when I tore the first band and began winding the first skein into a ball.I was making tracks through the back panel too,

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-18860923485762884762008-09-08T06:30:00.002-04:002008-09-08T06:30:01.031-04:00

We all enjoy banana bread here, and when the bananas get too soft to enjoy raw they are destined for bread.Today, I had one lonely very overripe banana and a peach that didn't look like it would make it through the night. Along with those I had a perfectly good golden delicious apple that had been around for a while.Knowing my family loves apple pancakes I decided to experiment and see where it

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-308827207505002222008-09-05T06:17:00.000-04:002008-09-05T06:17:01.012-04:00

The time has come in our automotive life to consider replacing a vehicle. This activity is way, way down on our list of favorite things to do. Rick has spent hours on the web comparing sizes and mileages and prices and growing a spreadsheet.His research then turned to the Auto Trader books as we wanted to put off scouring car dealerships as long as possible. After a couple of issues of the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-47320454541891494102008-09-04T06:28:00.002-04:002008-09-04T06:28:01.052-04:00

Yesterday I popped one of the buttons off my navy blue store-bought cardigan that is my faithful household companion. It doesn't match a lot of my clothing and it is not the greatest color for me, but it is a necessary garment.Well, you know I'm not in the midst of a big project when I see a lost button as an opportunity to cast on for a new cardigan. Perhaps this time something I can wear

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-80017177910505589832008-09-03T06:07:00.001-04:002008-09-03T06:07:00.681-04:00

School starts today at Homestead Lutheran Academy! I do anticipate less frequent posting here as a result. It is likely, though, that the posts I do publish will have more knitting content. At least for the next nine months.Earlier this year, this sweater for the Artist was a big knit hit. She selected he yarn and the pattern, and she loves the sweater. As there were one and one half balls

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-48188550526414973902008-09-02T06:38:00.001-04:002008-09-02T06:38:00.510-04:00

A friend in Texas just sent a huge, big, box, heavy laden with hand me downs for the Artist and the Engineer. Many Thanks!Among the items in the box was a little charm my friend had told me about, but I'd forgotten all about it. It will make the perfect addition to my knitting bag.

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-31587428824967397922008-09-01T06:36:00.000-04:002008-09-01T06:36:00.505-04:00

Rick's band, Running in Circles, plays at Legacy Village shopping center twice this summer. Hear some here! These are two of their favorite shows of the year. The time slot is premium, the ability for family and friends to attend, the outdoor setting, the large stage all combine to make it a great experience for audience and performers.The Artist and Engineer had a chance to cut loose and

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-32649280249676576652008-08-29T06:29:00.002-04:002008-08-29T06:29:01.175-04:00

There are some kinds of puzzles that I cannot stand to be challenged with, math squares and jumbles come to mind. Others I love, such as criss cross and crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.But this weekend I embarked on a new kind of puzzle venture. Writing a pattern for a vintage knitted garment (without taking apart the garment) turned out to be a puzzle as intriguing as any!A friend gave me

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-62045108249216813592008-08-28T06:03:00.000-04:002008-08-28T06:03:01.235-04:00

We have not had new neighbors move into our neighborhood for several years. Some 11 years ago, however, when Rick and I moved into our house we received a nice greeting.Several times Gus the cat came over to supervise the unloading of the trunk of my car. He was a beautiful smoky blue cat who kept the mole population down. I nicknamed him the Welcoming Committee, because he was the first

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-25847634723043859062008-08-27T06:46:00.001-04:002008-08-27T06:46:01.103-04:00

Twice in the last week my children have been the beneficiaries of the kindness of strangers. Visiting the bank one morning, they held the door for the elderly couple following us in through the doors and the gentleman gave the Artist $2, one for her and one for her brother. I was taken by surprise and thankful the children didn't need prompting to give an enthusiastic "Thank you!" to the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-26288548986869500092008-08-26T06:01:00.002-04:002008-08-26T12:46:00.944-04:00

Earlier in the summer season both Susan's Pendulum and A Round Unvarnish'd Tale wrote about vegetables, which ones most Americans eat and which they habitually eat in their family meals. They give some interesting lists that prompted me to think about my shopping and cooking habits.I don't know about the top 12 vegetables in most Americans' diets. I made some slightly different lists, starting

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-25491401831791497972008-08-25T06:27:00.001-04:002008-08-25T08:46:36.019-04:00

Using us old acrylic odd ends has been rather uninspiring. In the course of an entire week, this is the small bundle of booties and a hat that have gathered themselves for a brief stop on my counter top before heading over to the Goodwill store. And this is the amount of acrylic remaining in the bag. Is it multiplying in there? O double knit sachet experiment is in there, and another baby hat

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-91516937632941375462008-08-22T06:12:00.002-04:002008-08-22T09:01:40.544-04:00

This little girl's homeland is lost in my distant memories. I vaguely recall her being Danish, but a quick search of 'Danish native costume' did not turn up many shawls or elven-pointed leather shoes. Nor did I see any women wearing skirts over long cuffed slacks or slacks with curve-tipped boots. Looking at the Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish cultural costumes did not narrow it down to a

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-50783619675505804082008-08-21T06:40:00.000-04:002008-08-21T06:40:00.579-04:00

Indiana Jane recently posted about a book giveaway she is having at her blog, Indiana Jane's Journal. Sweetsmoke is a civil war historical fiction by David Fuller. Plantation life in Virginia during civil war times is a setting that has been used before, but the reviews at Amazon unanimously note that this story is exceptional and exceptionally well told.All three reviewers at the Amazon site

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-36178951017652206492008-08-20T06:49:00.001-04:002008-08-20T06:49:00.517-04:00

It's a girl!Baby weighs 140 lbs and measures six feet tall. I suppose that is normal for a Masai giraffe, but it sounds uncomfortable to me.After being closeted for nine days, Tuesday was the day the yet unnamed baby girl was first able to roam the African Savanna meadows at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.A few years ago the Artist went to visit the zoo when Savanna, also a baby giraffe, was out

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-29292421784044158942008-08-19T06:01:00.000-04:002008-08-19T06:01:00.564-04:00

Learning to handle responsibility in the workplace, practicing compassion, building a resume, and testing out a field to see if you enjoy it are some reasons people take on volunteer jobs.As a very young teen I remember working as a volunteer in the nursing home where my mother worked. I played cards with or read to residents, or just chatted with them for a while for about 10 hours a week. The

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-45774792777947909462008-08-18T06:43:00.000-04:002008-08-18T06:43:00.402-04:00

A family dinner table discussion of character, in its course has led to a discussion of politicians. Finding examples of shady characters was not a trick, but explaining exactly what made these people shady was trickier.Wanting to fill in some gaps in my knowledge led me to check out some books on Huey Long. What an amazing career he did have! And I've learned just how naive and

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-24663202915899650392008-08-15T06:16:00.001-04:002008-08-15T06:16:00.168-04:00

When I was in Tennessee in April I was introduced to a new food, the muffaletta sandwich. I'd never heard of this delight!My brother and I were pumped up to try it, though. When my Tennessee relatives were on the phone with my Louisiana family they were discussing food for the funeral luncheon. It was unanimously agreed that my cousin must drive several dozen mini muffalettas north along with

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-31056159482268344382008-08-14T06:26:00.001-04:002008-09-25T13:17:01.110-04:00

The question always lurks, "What to do with lots of odds and ends of yarn?" I save the bits and pieces until I'm overrun it seems. I made the mittens for my daughter and son, but that only put a small dent in the yarn odd ends still available to me.I was taken by surprise when I cleaned my office and found a gallon freezer bag full of small hand wound balls yarn, mostly acrylic. I could not

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-75969514197903787482008-08-13T05:53:00.001-04:002008-08-13T05:53:00.269-04:00

There is a toy the Engineer has been neglecting more and more often I'm sad to say. His grandparents on both sides contributed to a largish collection of Brio and Thomas wood train set pieces.Nowadays the pieces sit in their tub unused unless the neighbor children I babysit are over. These are such good quality toys, they will last for generations. In fact, a small number of the pieces are

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-61989866818284483022008-08-12T06:27:00.000-04:002008-08-12T06:27:01.251-04:00

It is amazing how an out of the way room in the corner of a basement can become a haven for junk. Everything about which I've ever thought "I'll deal with this later" seems to end up piled on the desk, on the floor, in the closet, on the bookshelves, etc.Rick's being out of town for work last week afforded me the opportunity to thoroughly clean out this storage closet run a muck I call my office

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-26120680285948047962008-08-11T07:34:00.004-04:002008-08-11T08:04:05.969-04:00

The Engineer's new mittens are completed! He likes having his mittens on a string. They are always available to him should he need them and he doesn't have to bother about keeping track of them. This is the first time I used an i-cord to attach the mittens. I'm so thankful to Jenny at The Running Yarn for the video she posted illustrating the applied i-cord technique. Using it to begin the

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-57458565741950633322008-08-08T06:30:00.003-04:002008-08-08T06:30:19.822-04:00

While doing some much needed cleaning at my Dad's house over the summer I came across some smocks my mother had put in her classroom. One I remember wearing when I was small. The other is new with a store label inside and has probably never been worn.This tulip-patterned one I remember wearing. Mom must have made it when I was quite small.All the bright colors in this one remind me very much

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4483550842001304710.post-22629337872226733182008-08-07T05:57:00.002-04:002008-08-07T05:57:13.239-04:00

There and high wire walks and then there are high wire walks. I think this date in history can claim the highest of them all unless some happened on the space station or on a space shuttle that I don't know about!Philippe Petit set August 7, 1974 as the day to walk a high wire suspended between the two towers of the World Trade Center. The story of his extensive planning, the walk and its

Marie N.http://www.blogger.com/profile/02358976552469177345noreply@blogger.com1