Lest I Forget

Thanks to Hurricane Irene, I had all Saturday to sit and knit and wait to see what would happen. We never lost power, praise God. Our leaky window leaked, and we had lots of downed tree limbs. I feel very fortunate that we fared so well. I am excited to announce that I have finished my first lacework shawl! It is at this very moment being blocked. There were moments of panic when I realized a mistake had been made. I have found that, for me, it is best to immediately put down my knitting and walk away to calm down. Then I can come back later and examine my work thoroughly and come up with a plan. What about you? How do you deal with mistakes? Pre-blocking    Pinned and drying.  Before  After  I have been busy with post-hurricane clean-up around here, but I did find a few hours to knit and crochet this little headband . I have not crocheted in quite some time, but the pattern had a video tutorial. It was fun and easy and ready to wear in no time. ...

As Hurricane Irene closes in on the east coast, I went to the store to buy some canned provisions and water, just in case. I bought some canned fruits and veggies, though not what I would consider the most healthy fare, but what the hey, it's a hurricane for Heaven's sake. My husband had the same idea to stock up on food and water and also stopped at the store on the way home from work....  ...ummm, I think this is a subtle hint that just maybe, he doesn't fully appreciate my attempts at a healthy diet. He raised his arms and shook them mightily with a hearty guffaw issuing forth as I carried his booty into the house. I'm just praying that we won't need this, but it is good to be prepared.

Therese was asleep in her crib. The little kids were playing quietly beside me. I was perusing Ebay, looking for THE one thing my husband really wants to have. He doesn't want much for himself ever. I wish I could buy it for him, but the budget won't allow. Yet. One day, it will. All was quiet. At first, I thought the kids were pulling on my chair. I turned to tell them to stop, but they were not touching my chair. Then I heard a low rumbling sound and the slab foundation of our home was shaking. The walls were swaying, pictures were swinging, my pile of freshly folded laundry fell over. I slowly realized that I was experiencing an earthquake! It was over in a few seconds, and I was shaken, emotionally. Tony was at work, Olivia was at school. I could not hold them close. We are fine now and the kids thought it was exciting. Although Jack did bring me a picture of a giant 'x' and told me it meant no more earthquakes in our house. In other news, if anyone even remem...

It has been a whirlwind of a summer and now it is over. Olivia's first day of school is today. Luckily for me, she checked her facebook page yesterday, because I thought she didn't start school til Tuesday! Don't even ask how I got that one mixed up. We ended our summer on a glorious note: A week at Folly Beach with my family. Before we left, we were baraged by various appliances and gadgets decided not to work. I did not have time to properly repair the stove, so I rigged it with a bungee cord in order to bake the bread I needed for the trip. One of the first days in South Carolina, we packed up the seven of us, and drove to Georgia to visit the cemetery and put a fresh bouquet on Ben's marker. We also got to see several good friends that afternoon. It was a good day. The rest of the week was dedicated to relaxation. On the porch with Therese. Under the tent with the kids. More playtime. A flower discovered on a morning walk. Also found t...

It has been four years today since God called my Ben home. My post today is on his blog .

I don't want anyone to think that I always complain. I am so grateful for all I have, especially my family. We spent a long weekend with my parents and it was so fun! I think I probably gained 5 pounds from all the good food my mom prepared. I am proud to say that my mom can cook the pants off me! On the boat at the lake. Isn't my mom beautiful? The captain of the ship! My dad. Please tell me you can tell how much fun tubing is! Click on the picture to get a good look at their faces. At first, Therese was not so sure about the whole boat thing. The life jacket, the swaying floor, the noises. She changed her mind! She loved the lake.

Remember the orange-cinnamon loaves I made for Sophie's birthday? I did say that I would post the recipe soon. It's still soon, isn't it? I got this recipe from my mother. She took a bread baking class when I was a little girl and this is one of the breads she learned to make. Yesterday, I made the foolish decision to have a cyst removed from my back. Hindsight being what it is, I should have waited until we returned from our upcoming beach trip. The surgeon boasted that he had only had two cases with complications. I know this was supposed to be reassuring, however, with the way things have been going here lately, I had my doubts. A few hours after I returned home, something didn't seem right and I went to the mirror to investigate. They had said to expect some slight swelling. Well, it looked like they had implanted a baseball on my spine! I went back to the hospital and they said it was a hematoma and they put a pressure wrap around my body to help reduce the sw...

A bead! Do you see it? Right next to the stitch marker. I did it! My first row with beads! I watched a video on how to add beads, and the lady made it look so easy. In fact, it is easy, once you get your hands used to holding your work and a crochet hook. By about the 10th bead, I found my own little rhythm. I've been reading this book to Anna before bed. I read Jack whatever book on vehicles he wants first, then I pick up the Penderwick's. It's funny how people start gathering around us as I read this story. Everyone likes it and wants to hear the next chapter. Even my husband. It is so sweet to look up from the pages and see my family all together. I am gathering courage as I get further into this project. Oh, there are already mistakes, but they will stay. I once read somewhere that the Amish purposely leave a mistake in their quilts because the only truly perfect thing is God. I don't even know if this is true, but I like the idea behind it. Plus, it allows my per...