All About the Snowmen

I started this week with the Knitters' Christmas party on Sunday, and it was another great one! From the awesome Stocking Stuffers

(mine included chocolate, peppermint and snowmen)

Trivet from Michelle, dryer balls (and spray) from Julie,
tool kit from Lisa L, chapstick holder and keychain from Lisa R,
handmade soap from Judy, granola from Andrea,
cross-stitch from Stephanie...all so good!

to all the yummy treats, 

we had a great afternoon! 

While we laughed and chatted, most of us were also knitting. I was working on a Secret Santa gift, and since the reveal was on Sunday, I can show you what I made! Starting with one of my fave patterns...

Mochimochi Snowmen

I added creative touches that branched out into a wise message, but something was missing...

Jess told me it was carrots, and she was so very right!  

I mean, just look at the final product, on my co-worker's desk! 

Those carrots brought all the wisdom. As you can see, these guys without noses look like they made some pretty questionable choices at the office party...

Slumping snowmen aside, it was a winning week, but I'm so far behind on the Christmas prep! I usually have a gingerhood by this time in December, but I haven't built a single house yet, and even the tree is feeling a little picked-over... 

while I've been side-tracked by snowmen! And a handful of teacher gifts for my grandsons...

Sketchy, by Shanalines Designs

Where are you in your holiday preparation schedule...are you ready? Or are you running behind, like me? 

Either way, thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

PS- the pig has returned...🤦‍♀️

March On!

It is March. A couple weeks ago, we had a fairly deep freeze and significant snow...

Followed by some promise-of-spring weather,  where I knit outside on my lunch break, in nearly-60-Farenheit-degrees,

with sunshine on my shoulder and warm gusts of wind strumming background tunes on Ol' Glory, just above me. It was delightful!

Aaaaand now it's winter again, as we all knew it was bound to be, because it is March, which did not come in particularly like a lion or a lamb. Hot Cocoa season lasts a good long time in Ohio! 

So all bets are off for April, and that's ok. I've finished an afghan, 

and made good progress on my new sweater in mystery yarn, 

and I'm ready to March On! to spring holidays and birthdays, including mine! But first, let's turn those clocks forward tonight, in the US and in my state! 

Enjoy that extra daylight in the afternoon, and don't be late for church tomorrow! 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Like a Bird on the Wing?

Like a bird on the ... wait ... 

No wings for this guy yet. Lolz...seems appropriate for a day that we're going to visit prison. Unlike my brother-in-law, though, this bird will get his wings this afternoon. In fact, a few of his feathers are already finished.

For anyone who might wonder, visiting someone in prison is hard. Pre-Covid, we visited about once a month, and it was difficult, but we had it down to a routine. These days, our visits are far less regular...and the motivation to schedule each visit is scarce. Still, since we are generally his only visitors and contact with the wider world, we are trying.

Unlike the depictions I've seen on TV and in the movies, we can't take in photos, books, gifts or anything to share with him, not even a stick of gum or a slip of paper. We enter the facility, obtain our badges and lock up our belongings before we walk to the building where visits take place. Just the clothes on our backs and a government issued ID are all we may have with us. 

And a credit card for the vending machines. Who wouldn't love to share a meal with loved ones from a vending machine? Well, our inmate appreciated his microwaved, frozen chicken sandwich, Nacho Cheese Doritos chips, Payday candy bar and Dr Pepper today, and we are glad for that.

We are allowed one hug of greeting, and one at departure, visiting seated on molded plastic lawn chairs on opposite sides of a small table between hugs. This morning, we had much to catch up about, since it has been 8 months since our last visit. Family news, job news (his and ours), newsy news...our time together drags between topics and races through the words that make us laugh or want to cry. It's awkward every time.

When the visit is over, we walk back to the entrance/screening building and collect our things for the drive home. We are both spent, and I may or may not have taken a three hour nap this afternoon. But I've gotta get back to those wings! 

Like a bird on the wing is the soul that follows Jesus...or so I've often thought it should be. His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:28). But life is still hard in many circumstances. 

When I keep following Him, I get through the difficult things just fine. So I'll get by on a wing and a prayer (and maybe a bit of meditative knitting) when life gets complicated. I hope that you will do the same, no matter what life throws your way. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Three Musketeers

I feel like this picture tells a story...

...and so it does. It's the story of three boys, growing up together so that they will always be the best of friends (and maybe finding some mischief, too!). Wanna guess who the ringleader will be? 

If you guessed that the fearless, headstrong, third-born of the brood will be that brother, I would tell you that is a very solid guess! But who knows, really...

We have two of the three boys at our house this weekend, so I'm putting this post together  early. It will go live at the normal time, and I will hopefully be napping when it does, but I anticipate that I will not have time or energy to do much blogging on Saturday or Sunday! 

On Monday morning, there will be copious cups of coffee to help Pop Pop and I recover from the fun! Then I will try to catch up on some knitting...

I hope you have found something to enjoy this weekend, and thanks for stopping by!

Now, go Knit in Good Health (and share with me what you're knitting in the comments!)!

Super Powered Knitting

If you're back to see if I've uploaded the Taylor Swift Sock Pattern, I am happy to report that I have. You can find it here, and it is FREE for all!

If you're here to see what else is going on, I'll tell you: this has been a heavy week for me. All in our family are well, but I mourn for a family that cannot say the same. Since it is not my story to tell, that's all I will say here, except to encourage you to go hug your kids. If you don't have kids of your own, maybe you have a niece or a nephew who would appease you, but please don't go around hugging kids you don't know. That will get you in trouble. ;)

Even in a heavy week, God is good. To balance the heavy, I have used my super power of Knitting to work on some bright-and-colorful things, and I think they came out pretty super!

There will be more details later, but if you think these are capes...well, you would be correct! The pattern is Supercape by Shanalines_design, go check it out! I think a lot of her designs are pretty stripin' cool.

That's all for now. Off I go to hug my grandkids, and my adult daughter (if she will tolerate it). I hope that all is well in your world. If it is not, I'd be glad to pray for you. All you've got to do is ask. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health!

Knit Love

There's no ifs, ands or 

about it, I love knitting toys! So, as you can see by the photo above, I'm knitting some alphabet blocks!

Recently, I've also knit a mermaid and a seahorse as part of a baby shower gift! 

Now that the shower is finished, I can show you those, and the blanket! I took sea themed blocks and put them together into a lovey-sized blanket, just right for tossing over the car seat or spreading out to change a diaper. Also a great size for a toddler to drag around. 😀 

Now I've moved on to slipper socks for sassy feet, two pair. Don't these feet look happy? 

The biggest boy requested green and red, and was quite pleased with himself for choosing Christmas colors "when it isn't even Christmas! Isn't that funny, Gramma?!?" 

Yes,  yes, it is, Kiddo!

And the blocks will take me awhile, so I'll be over here...knitting blocks and planning knits for the next first birthday, coming soon! 

I knit love, in every stitch. It's just what i do!  What are you working on? Whatever it is, I hope you love it, and that it's bringing you joy. 

Thanks for stopping by, and Knit in Good Health! 

Around the Sun, in 365 Days!

One more time around the sun, and that brings me to 54! So, how did I spend my week? Probably just as you expect...there were crafts...

This chick came into town with her daddy
and her sister, and we crafted and crafted!

We made this! It was super fun!

So many crafts! And grandkids...

Pop Pop is the Candy Man, aaand his beard is ticklish!

Can I take your picture, if I promise candy?

So excited for my birthday! And candy, lol!

Best shot of this little dude (and his Pop Pop)!

Rumikub! Snorta! Uno! Fun games!

So many grandkids! And sweets...

So many sweets! And finished objects...

Zebra toy for baby shower.

Bright Axis Tee that I have wanted to knit
since last summer, finished!

Well, just the two finished objects...but both are super cute! Am I right, or am.I.right!?!

That sweater is something I've been working on intermittently, first because I realized that I just did not have the right striping yarn and then because there were other crafts and kiddos that demanded my attention way more (see photos above!).

Overall, it was a great week, and that sweater pic pretty accurately describes my birthday vibe by the end of the week, super stoked!

Today is a little lower key, because it's not about me at all, but the recipient of that cutie-pie zebra-toy! Baby shower ahead, so I have on something cute, all the gifts are securely stuffed in giant clouds of tissue paper and stuffed into a teal bag with white polka dots and curly ribbon, and we are ready to go!

But I thought I'd blog before I go, and say hello to all my crafty friends! 

Hi Crafty Friends!

I hope your Saturday is super, and I hope this trip around the sun is a good one for you, too! What are you looking forward to for your next birthday? Whatever it is, I hope it meets your expectations, and that you have some moments that it IS about you! 

Thanks for stopping by, and for all the birthday wishes this week! Now, go Knit in Good Health! (because...#selfcare!)