Nana's stuff

2011 Great Frederick Fair

2011-09-17T19:28:00.016-02:00

I decided that I needed to enter my favorite shawl into the fair this year. And while I was at it (and since you had to buy a $10 ticket and could enter 3 things for that fee), I bought 2 tickets and entered 6 things.
I entered my favorite whole wheat/oatmeal rolls and my Mom's peanut butter fudge. They each took second place in their categories.

I entered my first completed garment made with my own spun yarn. It got a third place which is pretty remarkable considering how badly it is spun.

A scarf named Anjou because of the pear shaped images in the lace around the edges got a red ribbon for second place.

A green Huggable Hedgehog got a blue ribbon.

The Jaali shawl which started life as a test knit for Kitman Figuero won, not only a blue ribbon, but THE BEST OF SHOW for the adult and children knit apparel category. Gotta love how they've got it displayed. But it IS a country style fair. I may decide to pin that ribbon on the front next time I wear it. LOL

Book Review

2011-07-06T21:01:00.002-02:00

Oh Say Can You See by Laurie L.C. Lewis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A wonderful story that makes history come alive. The characters are like family now after these 4 volumes. Waiting for the end of the tale.

View all my reviews

Red Robin Review

2011-05-31T15:42:00.002-02:00

Out shopping today with Pop and decided to try out the new Red Robin by the FSK Mall. It was only 11:40 but the place was already packed although we didn't have to wait for a table. It was incredibly LOUD with the music, people shouting, and the hostess announcing tables ready. It took a long time for our drinks to come and after they did, I liked my milkshake (nothing fancy just chocolate but great on a 100+ day). Lynn's tropical smoothie was not to his liking. It left an aftertaste.
Lynn had the Guacamole Bacon Burger; he said it was good but he could hardly taste the guacamole. I had the Bleu Ribbon Burger and I loved it. The onion bun, onion straws, chunks of bleu cheese, and chipotle sauce made it very tasty but when I checked the nutrition upon arriving home....AAAAGGGGHHHHH. I'm glad I didn't eat all the steak fries...basically, I don't like the plank fried potatoes. Even though they were hot and crisp, they are way too starchy. I had planned to ask for a different side but forgot in the chaos.
Burgers are way too big to eat and way more that needed for a single meal. Lynn and I could have easily shared one and still been satisfied. Although the burgers were good, the price was still a bit exorbitant...$10 for just the burger is a bit over the top.
All in all, we give it 3 out of 5 stars on the Rectorometer. Probably not going back with so many other places to try out.

Red Lobster Review

2011-03-03T21:24:00.002-02:00

Lynn and I had the Red Lobster experience today in celebration of his birthday. He wouldn't let me tell them as they might sing.
We went at lunchtime because every night this week has been busy with one thing and another.
We started with seafood stuffed mushroom appetizers; they were very nice but not as pretty as the ones on the menus. Followed this with Caesar salads with Cheddar Bay Biscuits (my own personal reason for choosing Red Lobster).
It was Lobsterfest so of course we had the Maine lobster, grilled shrimp with rice pilaf and broccoli. We had to get boxes to carry home all the leftovers. Rerun for dinner tonight.
The service was terrific and the food excellent. Probably as good as you can get at a chain restaurant. RECTOR REVIEW - 4 stars

Restaurant Reviews

2011-02-25T15:50:00.002-02:00

Lynn and I have decided to try out a new local restaurant each week probably at lunch time and to give them the Rector Five Star Review.

So.... Lynn wasn't with me when I went to lunch with some friends to the local Bob Evans. The service was terrific and the food was yummy. I had a spinach/bacon/tomato/egg biscuit bowl; all smothered in a cheesy sauce. The price was reasonable and I felt like I would like to try making this at home until I googled it on the Bob Evans website and found out that it had over 1000 calories. YIKES. Maybe if I ever go there with Lynn, we could split an entree, then have only salad the rest of the day.
OK the Bob Evans Evelyn review................4 stars. Kudos to Annie our waitress. Efficient and friendly.

Today, Lynn and I went to Rib City, never having been to one before. We both like BBQ but this place was just not up to standard. The paintings on the walls were pretty hokey along with the country music playing. Service was really good and friendly. Nickie, our server was informative and pretty fast.
The food, however, was generic. Lynn didn't go BBQ; he ordered an angus burger and really enjoyed it but left half of the fries. I ordered the BBQ chicken plate with coleslaw. The chicken was a wing and a breast. The wing was blackened to a crisp and the breast was dried out. The only redeeming grace was that it had a good smoky aroma and the sauce at the table made it palatable. Coleslaw was too sweet but that's better than vinegary. Texas toast was greasy and the fries which were just fries, covered 2/3 of the plate...at least 3 servings. I left most of them; not even worth bringing home. OK Rib City Rector review.....a skimpy 3 stars. Service was good; food mundane. No need to return there.

Quick Oatmeal/ Whole Wheat Bread Recipe

2010-11-19T11:00:00.002-02:00

Quick Rising Oat Bread

Serving Size : 2 or 3 loaves

1 1/2 c Whole wheat flour
1 c Quaker Oats, uncooked
-- (quick or old-fashioned)
3 pk Active dry yeast- a little less than 3 T.
2 tsp Salt
1 3/4 c Water
2 eggs
1/2 c Aunt Jemima Syrup
-OR- Lite Syrup
1/2 c oil, I use canola
4 c All-purpose flour
-- (less may be needed)
Pour water into mixer bowl and add dry yeast. Add syrup, oil, salt, and eggs.
Add oatmeal and wheat flour. Mix until combined.
Add white flour until it almost cleans the bowl.

Beat at low speed of electric mixer 1 minute.

Use mixer to knead until dough becomes smooth and elastic; about 10
minutes. Place dough in large greased bowl. Cover; let rise in warm
place about 30-45 minutes or until double in size.

Punch dough down. Divide into 2-3 parts; shape loaves. Place in prepared pans. Can egg wash and sprinkle with oatmeal and seeds. Cover; let rise in warm place about 1/2 hour or until double in size.

Heat oven to 375 F Bake 30 to 35 minutes If made into pans of rolls, cut time to 20-25 minutes.

News on the Aldino

2010-05-24T19:14:00.004-02:00

Pop has worked through the winter getting tools ready for working on the kit car. Now he's pulled it out and is seriously working on getting it ready to put together. Too kewl. He went to a kit car show in Carlisle last Friday but was disappointed in the meager showing. More later.

Funny Grandparent Stuff

2010-04-02T14:29:00.001-02:00

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye.....

2.. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

3.. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice,
"Who was THAT?"

4.. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods."
The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"

5.. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.

6.. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story.
"What's it about?" he asked.
"I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."

7.. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct.. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these colors yourself!"

8.. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

9.. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised "Mine says I'm 4 to 6."

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting." she said. "How do you make babies?"
"It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.
"Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."

12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties.
"They use him to keep crowds back," said one child.
"No," said another. "He's just for good luck."
A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

14. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

OK Here's What Happened

2009-12-12T00:23:00.008-02:00

Wednesday night after taking someone home from scripture study, I was involved in an automobile accident. I had noticed on the way into the development that some crossroads had stop signs and about every other one did not. So as I was going back out, I was very carefully stopping where I had stop signs and watching for cars at the intersections that did not.
My last memory before the collision is of seeing the last stop sign before the main road where I would turn left. I have NO DOUBT that I stopped, looked both ways, and proceeded carefully into the intersection. However, my next memory is of my car stopping forward motion, a very cold breeze coming in through where there was no longer a driver side window, a major pain in my head and realizing that I had been hit. I turned off the key and picked a piece of glass out of the edge of the door. Some people came up and asked me if I was OK and told me that someone was calling 911. There was a big pointed lump on the back of my head and my glasses were missing. My door would not come open and I just decided to sit still for a while.
I didn't have the cell phone but someone offered me theirs but since I couldn't see, they dialed for me. Lynn wasn't home yet from his bishopric meeting and I didn't know any other phone numbers.
Shortly, someone came bringing me my glasses which had been found in the street by the other driver. He picked them up thinking they were his, then found his in his pocket(He evidently hadn't been wearing them) He came by to check out if I were OK and say how sorry he was.
In a very short time there was a fire engine, several police cars and an ambulance all with lights flashing.
I managed to get up over the console and get out the passenger door. By then, the firemen wanted to check me out and the police were asking questions. I couldn't count the number of times I was asked what day it was, my name, address, and phone # and who is the president. After a while, I just told them, it was some dummy.

At first I refused to go to the hospital because I just had a bump on my head.
I asked the police to try to get in touch with Deputy Rector either through the sheriff's office or at home.

The other driver went off in the ambulance but they called another and the policeman that seemed to be in charge said that if I didn't go voluntarily, he would take it out of my hands and order it. (Can they do that?)
They had finally reached Nathan and told him to meet us at the ER. Actually, we were just a short distance from his house and he showed up at the scene when I was in the ambulance.

The step up into the ambulance is WAY high. I'm glad I wasn't hurt any more than I was; I could never have gotten up those steps. They strapped me onto the gurney with 2-3 straps and put me on oxygen (totally unneeded). I don't know who makes the ambulances they use here but I would like to give them a hint.....SUSPENSION. All the streets we would have used are very nicely paved but I felt like I was riding in a jeep going cross country.
They wanted to take my blood sugar and when I said that the ER would just do it again, they said "But they will ask us why we didn't do it" So I let them. (NOTE TO SELF- if it ever happens again just say, "tell them I refused".)

Lynn and Nathan were at the ER and they went with me through to "Fast Track" so that I could be seen quicker. Nathan knew the doctor; he'd gone to school with him. Can we say Doogie Howser? He poked and prodded but surprisingly didn't check my eyes for pupil dilation. Hello, I had a head injury. The pointed bump on the back of my head had receded and was just a rounded lump now. The headache was gone and at first I didn't have any pain anywhere. As I was leaving the hospital though, I began to notice pains in my ribs and right leg. The instructions were to take Tylenol for pain. Did that; later Aleve; later still ibuprofen (drug of choice for muscle pain).

So I get home and tucked into bed (10:30pm) and the cop from the hospital that gave me all the paperwork (neither of us was charged with anything), called because he had failed to get my driver's license number and could I look at it and give it to him!!!!! This couldn't wait until morning????
I slept about an hour that night; between the pain in the ribs on the left and the right leg, I just couldn't get comfortable.

The next day was filled with calls from the insurance companies and the place that had hauled the car away. Going up and down the stairs was painful so Lynn pretty much took over meal prep and household stuff. I was kind of nauseated anyway but finally got some sleep.

It's Friday now and still haven't heard from State Farm but Lynn says the car is not likely to come back up our driveway again. OK by me. I'm not sure I ever want to drive again. I'm not sure I even want to ride in a car again.

It just occurred to me today that a few nanoseconds difference and this could have been tragic. Another note --- I had been cursing the memory loss (wondering if the head injury caused it). But now I'm not so sure that it's a bad thing. It could be one of those "tender mercies". If I remembered what happened, seeing the oncoming car and the impact, I would have that memory and fear for the rest of my life. As it is, I can just be blessedly ignorant.

The leg still hurts some and I have red marks on my neck and bruising clear across my chest from the seat belt. The left side of my neck is painful to the touch; I must have really wrenched it. Hopefully, better tomorrow.

So that's it. Insurance company is blaming me because I had the stop sign and I can't prove that I stopped and that he was coming like a bat out of ..... around the bend when he hit me. First accident in almost 40 years but what do you want to bet they raise our rates.

Lynn went over to the lot to get stuff out of the car and took some pictures of our car. The other car was there too so he got pix of it too. Both old cars.. ours a 94 Camry and his a 95 Buick. BTW the other driver wasn't hurt much either. His car looks more messed up than ours. His airbag deployed. He told the police he was only going 30 MPH. You be the judge.

Olivianna

2009-08-07T17:11:00.001-02:00

Olivianna

This sock is the brain-child of a grandmother for her two oldest granddaughters, Olivia and Anna, who came to visit for a “knitting camp”. The design was made with only graph paper, a pen, and a few years of sock knitting experience. If it resembles the work of another designer, it is only by accident, not intentionally.

It’s a simple slightly lacy sock made for a girl who wears a size 1 shoe. Changes in yarn and needles could result in a range of sizes.

Foot circumference : 7 ½ inches

Leg length: 5 ½ inches Heel flap: 2 inches

Heel to toe: 6 inches Toe: 1 5/8 inches

Original pattern is done in Bernat Softee Baby with US #2 dpn’s.

It is written for 4 dpn’s but use your favorite method.

You will also need a cable needle (cn) unless you can do a cable without one.

Cast on 48 sts and divide over 3 needles. Join without twisting.

Cuff

Ribbing is as follows

[(p1,k1) X 3 , p1, k3, (p1, k1) X 3] Repeat around.

Repeat this round 7 more times.

Leg

The Olivianna pattern is 8 row of 16 stitches repeated 3 times around the leg. Repeat as many times as you like for length of leg ending after a row 2.

Rnd 1: P1, K5, P1, a (see explanation below),P1, K5; repeat around

Rnd 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8: P1, K5, P, K3, P, K5; repeat around

Rnd 3 and 7: P1, K2tog, yo, ktbl, yo, ssk, P1, K3, P, K2tog, yo, ktbl, yo, ssk; repeat around

Leg Chart

Heel Flap

Set up row – K12, slip other 4 sts to needle 2. Turn; on needle 1, sl 1, p 22, sl other 3 sts onto needle 2. Needle 2 now holds your 25 instep stitches. The other 23 sts are the heel.

(Sl 1, k1) across, turn
Sl 1, purl across, turn
S1, k1, (k1, sl 1) across, turn
Sl 1, purl across, turn

Repeat these 4 rows for depth of heel flap, about 2 inches.

Heel Turn

Row 1 Sl1, K 13, ssk, K1, turn

Row 2 Sl1, P 6, p2tog, p1, turn.

Row 3 Sl1, knit to last st before gap, ssk, K1, turn.

Row 4 Sl1, purl to last st before gap, p2tog, p1, turn.

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all stitches are used. 15 sts remain.

Gusset

Knit across. With new needle pick up 11 stitches down side of heel flap and one below first st of instep. Knit 3rd row of chart across instep with new needle as directed below and then with new needle pick up a st below last st of instep and then 11 st up the other side of the heel flap. Knit 7 to center of Needle 1 which is now the beginning of the round. Move remaining 8 sts to next needle and knit to last 3 sts on that needle, k2tog, k1.

Needle 2 – continue to row 4 on instep chart

Needle 3 – K1, ssk, knit across.

Following round knit needles 1 and 3 without decreases, continue in pattern for needle 2.

Stop decreases when there are 12 sts on needle 1 and 11 on needle 2.

Repeat sole stitches and instep stitches until about 1 ½ inches less than desired length ending with a row 2.

Instep

The instep maintains the established pattern but adds 4 stitches on either side.

For rounds 1,2,4,5,6, and 8 the beginning stitches are P1, ktbl, K2 at the beginning of the row and reversed at the end of the row K2, ktbl, P1.

Row 1 also has the cable done on the center 3 stitches.

Rounds 3 and 7 have half a lace pattern on each side

Beginning 4 stitches are P1, ktbl, yo, ssk

Ending stitches are k2tog, yo, ktbl, P1

Don’t forget ----you are starting with round 3 since we left off at round 2 for the heel flap.

Rnd 1: P1, ktbl, K2, P1, K5, P1, a (see explanation on legend of chart below),P1, K5, P1, K2, ktbl, P1; repeat around

Rnd 2, 4, 5, 6, and 8: P1, ktbl, K2, P1, K5, P, K3, P, K5, P1, K2, ktbl, P1; repeat around

Rnd 3 and 7: P1, ktbl, yo, ssk, P1, K2tog, yo, ktbl, yo, ssk, P1, K3, P, K2tog, yo, ktbl, yo, ssk, P1, k2tog, yo, ktbl, P1: repeat around

Instep Chart

Toe

Set up round for toe: knit needle 1; on needle 2 k1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1; knit needle 3.

Rnd 1 Needle 1 – Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Needle 2 – K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1

Needle 3 – K1, ssk, knit across

Rnd 2 Knit across all sts

Repeat these 2 rounds until 18 sts remain. With needle 3 knit the 5 needle 1 sts. Graft closed.

Road Trip at Knitting Camp

2009-07-21T18:52:00.003-02:00

Tuesday, we hit to road to Catoctin Creek Farm in Jefferson to visit with Jean Galey and her Romney sheep.

She also showed us her garden that included herbs, flowers, and plants for making wool dying colors.

The ewe lambs seemed pretty big for being just 5 months old.

Anna and Olivia tried to get the lambs close enough to touch with some food. The lambs didn't cooperate.

Anna and Olivia got a lesson in carding wool and spinning with a cranky spinner and made some yarn that they got to take home. Nana found a lovey Romney wool/cashmere blend in laceweight that needed to come home with her.

Knitting Camp

2009-07-21T18:41:00.003-02:00

First annual Knitting Camp is July 19-24.
Anna and Olivia are the first junior knitters.
Chores such as picking blackberries are part of the camping experience.
Time for leisure in the hammock.

Both girls have mastered casting on and are perfecting the knit stitch.

2009 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

2009-05-04T13:15:00.002-02:00

Not such a great picture of me but.....
This is Casey who is the co-founder of RAVELRY--only the best thing that happened to knitting since yarn. WOW. A picture and a Ravelry button and a Bob button. Does life get better than this?

Getting Neutered

2009-03-18T09:56:00.006-02:00

Last PAP smear, Dr. Mandel, my GYN, decided that I had hyperplasia, my uterus was too thick for someone in menopause; so we did a D&C to see what was there. It showed atypia to the extent that the chances were 40% that it would become cancer. So that pretty much determined that something had to be done.
On Feb. 23 I checked into FMH and had a complete hysterectomy and went home the next day by noon.
All went well or so I thought for the first week. I called in to see what to take for pain after the Percocet was gone and she wanted to check me out. Everything looked good but she put me on Cipro just in case. Two days later I started to run a low grade fever and couldn't control my blood sugar levels. I went to see my primary physician (actually not really her since she was out having a baby- I saw the nurse practitioner. ) My WBC count was over 11 so she sent me back to the GYN. She had me arrange for a CTScan (yummy stuff - apple flavored the night before, berry the day of) and we found that there were pelvic abscesses that oral antibiotics weren't taking care of. So I was put back into the hospital for 4 days of IV antibiotics. On the second day, a consulting physician (Anusha Belani, the local infectious disease guru) decided that I would need to be on IV antibiotics for 2 weeks and that a PICC line was the way to go. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. It goes into the flabby part of your inner upper arm and threads around to dump into the superior vena cava. Mine has a double port so there are 2 lovely blue thingies hanging down at about elbow level. I'm sure to start a fashion trend. Another CTScan before leaving the hospital showed some improvement so I got to go home to continue treatment.

A home health nurse came out Monday and showed us how to administer the IV. It's a little complicated but Lynn has done it several times now and already has it down to a science. It takes an hour to run in and is to be done every 6 hours. So at 6am, noon, 6pm, and midnight I sit in my recliner in the guest room and watch TV, read, knit, whatever while getting another dose.
I'm feeling a lot better than a week ago; and better mentally since I am home.
Here are some pictures to show you the beauty of my new embellishments - don't get too envious.
One is the PICC line (don't look if you are squeamish).

The other is me in the hospital. I added this one so you can check out Wanda Womb hanging on the IV pole. Shortly after I found out that I needed a hysterectomy, I came across a pattern for a womb, complete with fallopian tubes, cervix, etc. I knit one and showed it to my GYN and she loved it so much that I let her have it and I made me another.

When Wanda was hanging from the IV pole, the nurses would come in and look at it but I could tell that they just didn't get it so I'd ask them what they thought it was. Most guessed that it a was a girl's head with Pippy-Long-Stocking braids but no face. When I told them that it was my replacement uterus, the light would come on and they would laugh and still think I was a nut case, but then they'd tell me about their aunt/grandmother/friend who knits. While I was in the hospital I finished 5 preemie caps for a Hopkins Kids project. I'm making more of those while I'm doing those 1 hour drip sessions - knitting and watching NCIS/CSI/House/Law and Order any of which can be seen at any given time of the day.

I'm allowed to do anything I feel like doing except that I'm still not supposed to be lifting or doing heavy housework including vacuuming; the home health nurse said for another month.
One thing that is a little annoying (like the rest of this isn't) is that the PICC line site can't get wet. So I have to wrap it up with Saran wrap to shower - weird.
Yesterday we went on an outing to return some library books and get some new ones and go to the grocery store. WooHoo.
I'm hoping today to get my hair cut; it's making me NUTS!!!!

Lisa came over Monday when the HH nurse did her demo to be a backup for Lynn. Elena and Jillian were very interested in the whole set up. I explained to them that I was getting some special medicine to juice up my super powers. They seemed impressed.

Christmas visit

2008-12-10T14:22:00.006-02:00

Matt and family came up over the weekend for a visit. While Matt, Marian, Russ, and Cara went to the temple, Nana and Pop and the 4 Richmond kids made a gingerbread house, 2 batches of cookies for a cookie exchange, and put up decorations. Nathan's family and Russ's family also came by for a visit. We all went together to the Frederick 1st Ward Christmas party. I couldn't resist adding this picture of Charlotte. What a doll!!!

One of the things we did while they visited was to make a gingerbread house. They did a great job, don't you think? Dean made the stained glass windows. We baked the little chocolate bears that used to be all around the house but several were EATEN by Pop before I got the pix.

Just found out Ben and Susan are coming up Christmas Day - woohoo!!!

The DaVinci Shawl

2008-10-26T21:48:00.003-02:00

At the beginning of October Kalinumba (Anja of Germany, who also designed the last shawl I made) ran a KAL in which participants had to solve riddles to get into the files with the pattern parts for the shawl. It was a lot of fun but really hard (the riddles, not the pattern). I worked with people from all over the world for 2 days figuring out the clues. I finally just finished the shawl yesterday. It was supposed to be done in lace weight yarn but I had some beautiful fingering weight that I wanted made into a shawl or stole so that's what I used. The pattern was very versitile so I was able to not do all the rows and still hav e a pretty design within a reasonable size.
As we begin................

When all is knit and ready to block into shape, the livingroom sofa seems the best place.

To see the patterns I hung it from the drapes and pinned it at the top to the sheers. It doesn't really have those 2 pointy things on the top edge. The little things on the bow window sill are part of my bell collection with assorted dust bunnies.

The Rector Blocking Method

2008-09-29T12:20:00.005-02:00

OK somebody else may have thought of this first but since I had never seen it, I'm claiming it as my own.

I just finished a test knit for a girl from Germany. I needed to block it last night and decided to try something on my own. I knew Yarn Harlot did straight edges with string on the top edge of a triangular scarf but still pinning it down to get the points. I had 4 straight edges and had another idea. Why not stretch it between heavy dining room chairs to dry? It could dry faster by not sitting on top of something wet but still dry out naturally . So I did it. Nothing to lose; if it didn't work I could just wet it and start again. But I love the way it turned out. The ends are stretched a little more than the center. I guess I could have avoided that by putting 2 more chairs in the center and pulling the strings to them; but I like it the way it is. More pictures to follow of the stole; a marvelous history of the pattern but I'll wait until she is published and you can buy the pattern yourselves. BTW the color is not right; it's really Spruce Heather, a dark green.
OK so here is one of the pictures that she used to advertise the pattern. And here's another of a friend wearing the shawl. Anja calls it the Historical Stole.

I'M PUBLISHED

2008-09-18T12:09:00.004-02:00

For several months I've been doing test/sample knitting for designers and a couple of yarn companies. Here is my first published project for KnitPicks (they make great yarn, BTW). They are called Negative Space Mittens. I learned to do I-cord binding on these. No, I didn't design anything here....and my name will not appear anywhere; but, I DID get paid to knit up the sample.

Emma's Blessing

2008-09-11T22:18:00.004-02:00

Friends and family attended church Sunday, September 7, 2008 for the blessing of Emma Lynn Rector.

An informal dinner was held in the family's home after the service.

With both grandma's there, we had to take turns holding her.

Oooooh, So Delicate

2008-08-26T12:31:00.003-02:00

I finally finished my lacy stole that I had started in April then put into hibernation. The yarn is soooo tiny, it's like knitting with thread. Well, it's done and blocked. About a billion mistakes but if you see them, you are looking entirely too close. It's a lace sampler; there are 13 sections of different laces and then there's the outside edging that took 3 solid days to complete. Never again. I'm more the peasant shawl made of big bulky yarn type anyway.

More Parking Space

2008-08-26T12:20:00.004-02:00

Dad decided that we need more room for parking the trailer so he got a guy to come put in an extension behind the apron. They got it paved in one morning.
But to get the room for them to work, the Fiero had to go into the garage. Pop enlisted Nathan's help to move it. He already has some of it taken apart. I'm suggesting a lot of Baggies and a list of where the parts came from.

Stitch 'N Pitch at the Keys

2008-08-21T16:30:00.004-02:00

Keyote and friends at the game.

August 20 was the first annual Stitch 'N Pitch at the Frederick Keys. 38 knitters and crocheters had our own section to watch the Frederick Keys play the team from Lynchburg.
That's me crocheting on the edging of a knit wrap. I am wearing my YARRRRN tee shirt and hand knit socks.

Some of our group from Frederick Folks group of Ravelry.
Miss Frederick came by to meet and greet and our own Princess Stephanie, the birthday girl, got a photo op.Cinnamon got a special treat at the top of the 9th by becoming Queen Cinnamon of Burgertopia, complete with crown and coupon.
And Veruca made a guest appearance.

Family Reunion 2008

2008-08-21T16:12:00.005-02:00

August 17th we gathered to check out the changes and happenings in our families in the past year. Lotsa great food and fun.

THE CAR!!!!

2008-08-04T14:07:00.005-02:00

Pop has finally picked out the car project he is going to start on.
He found a 1987 Pontiac Fiero that he's going to change into an Aldino K/O.
He got the Fiero donor chassis from a yard sale in Thurmont and had a guy haul it here today. The car runs but isn't licensed or insured yet.

Here's what the kit looks like when it's done and painted red which color Pop may or may not choose. The body kit is made by a company called Aldino Car Company that you can see at www.aldinokit.com They say it has a "European flair" - Ferrari, maybe?
He'll be re-doing the engine, etc. too but we'll learn more about that as we go along.

SHE'S HERE!!!!!

2008-07-21T20:46:00.003-02:00

Emma Lynn Rector - 7 lb 4 oz - born July 21, 2008 8:50am

Blessing gown and booties made by Nana Rector

Anna and Bethany's BDay Party

2008-04-15T10:49:00.004-02:00

So last Saturday April 12 we got together for a dual birthday party for Anna and Bethany at Campbell's (the other grandparents) house. So here are my wonderful grandchildren, each worth a million.

Dean

Olivia

Anna, one of the birthday girls

Leah and Elena

Grant

Charlotte (with Matt and Nathan)

Jillian

Bethany, one of the birthday girls

Getting them together for a group shot ---- priceless!!!

Terrific General Conference

2008-04-09T18:25:00.003-02:00

We had a great General Conference this past weekend. Very inspiring. Someone in the LDS Knitters forum of Ravelry challenged us that if we were going to be knitting while watching GC, that we knit things for LDS Humanitarian Services. So here are the things I got done - two little pairs of socks, a kimono, and a little sweater. Now I just have to get them to the right place.

The whole tour group

2008-03-23T18:51:00.004-02:00

We just got a picture of the whole tour group in front of the Guatemala Temple.

Book of Mormon Lands trip

2008-03-19T21:23:00.010-02:00

So here we are just back from Church in Guatemala City. We attended in a ward that meets next door to the Temple.

Out in the jungle by a GREAT BIG TREE. (Considered sacred by the Mayans)

Residential area a couple thousand years ago.

A view from the top of one of the pyramids.

Something we DID do - a jungle cruise up the New Belise River to the ruins at Lamanai

Something we DIDN'T do - we're not nuts!!!

Me on the beach on a kaye that's only one acre - Lynn's off snorkling.

From our room in Belise.

We took about a thousand pictures. Come on over - we'd love to show them to you.

Spicing up the Kitchen

2008-02-26T00:01:00.002-02:00

I got a new toy for the kitchen. It is currently growing mint, two kinds of basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, and chives. It's completely hydroponic and the lights are automatic. So far I've harvested dill, parsley, basil and chives. I don't really know what to do with the mint and we both hate cilantro (it came with the gourmet herb kit) so of course it's growing the best.

Sunday Sojourns at Eleganza

2008-02-22T20:07:00.004-02:00

Sundays afternoons in February were scheduled for knitters and crocheters to meet at Eleganza and do charity projects. The first one was for scarves for HIV patients.

The second was squares to make little afghans for Project Linus.

The third was caps for newborns. I didn't get any pictures of those.

The fourth week we made outfits for bears/critters that we brought that will be given to kids in need of some TLC. I had to fudge the sweater and beret for my basset since I couldn't find a pattern in his size (or that would go over that head- so his is step-in) The cap had to have ear-holes to keep it on. He's much cuter in person.

So Many Sock Patterns

2008-02-22T19:54:00.005-02:00

I've been making a lot of socks lately and decided it was time for me to try my hand at sock pattern design. The sock above is my pattern that I called Trellis. It's mate below is done in the same yarn but a different pattern I called Vine. They both will have a heel new to me, the Sherman heel.

A simple everyday pair for me. Shetland wool in a short purl free Monkey Sock pattern

Gentleman's Matrimony Celebratory Sock pattern for Lynn for Valentine's Day. They have a new kind of heel for me - eye of partridge.

Another pair for me - these have a new kind of heel - called the peasant heel - made like another toe pattern where the heel should be.

Something new!

2008-01-30T14:18:00.001-02:00

I bought some 4 ply superwashed merino lamb's wool yarn in a big old cone over the internet. I wound off about 100 grams around the back of a diningroom chair and made a hank. I let it soak in room temp water with some vinegar for as long as it took me to run to the store to get some Kool-Aid. I wanted green and blue but that store didn't have any so I used lemonade and watermelon/kiwi. I put the two ends into ziplock baggies and pour one color in each end and left the center white except for splotching some of each color into the middle. I then put it all into a microwaveable casserole dish and zapped it for 2 minutes, cooled for 2 minutes, and repeated twice more. After cooling it to room temperature, I washed the hank in dishsoap but no color came out in the water. After rinsing, I hung it to air dry. Then wound it into balls.

I had already decided to make it into a variation of Monkey Socks by Cookie A.

And here they are. I'm not crazy about the way they striped but next time I'll change the way I dye the yarn so that the color is more mottled. Plus I found blue and green. The socks only weigh a little over 70 grams so I have enough left over to make a little pair for some unsuspecting baby.

Current WIP's

2008-01-22T15:00:00.001-02:00

This pattern is called Haruka and is pretty easy. I'm using a textured cotton yarn called Queen Anne's Lace that I got at the Shenandoah Fiber Festival. I think it will be a pretty scarf.

This scarf pattern is one from the Lionbrand site and wanted me to use their Microspun yarn. But I have some lovely soft Baby Ull that I got at Eleganza on my New Year's Eve shopping frenzy. So this scarf is in the works too.
I also have the shawl made from Stan the alpaca on the needles and the Peacock Feathers pattern and yarn standing by.
I looks like a winter of lace knitting.
But I just can't quit making socks. I just finished the first of a pair of Monkey Socks by Cookie A. - highly modified. Only three repeats of the leg pattern stopping at the foot and no purling. They are made of bermuda blue New England Shetland Wool. They should be very toasty for my tootsies.

January Knitting

2008-01-22T14:43:00.001-02:00

Somewhere along the line, Mama and Baby Goose lost their stocking caps that go with their January ski outfits. So I faked them some new ones. I'm hoping it will keep their ears (?) warm.

Remember Tribbles from Star Trek? This is a Tribble. You can wash dishes with it or (my personal favorite) use two as potholders. If you made a really bigger one, could it be a tribble trivet?

I finally finished up the Baby Surprise Jacket. It's completely reversible and except for the collar, knit in just one piece with the only seams at the top of the sleeves.

Cabled purse made from free-cycled yarn that had been a half-way made afghan.

Baby booties for a February baby made from Baby Ull.

Socks of Alpaca Sox yarn with two different patterns. Second socks are the pits to knit - boooooorring. So I have a new rule. I can make socks with two different patterns as long as they are similar enough that people won't stop me on the street to point at my socks and laugh.

SALE AT ELEGANZA

2007-12-31T13:34:00.001-02:00

At 6 a.m. there was a 40% off sale at Eleganza Yarns, my own little LYS. Of course, I want crazy. It was my anniversary yesterday after all. Many WIMs for socks and shawls and bags. Already cast on the black Baby Ull for a lacy shawl.

Christmas bouquet

2007-12-20T12:58:00.001-02:00

Matt and Marian sent flowers; they are gorgeous. Of course, the picture doesn't do justice.

More December projects

2007-12-20T12:46:00.000-02:00

The two dishcloths are completed - comfort projects - busy hands, happy heart.
The thrummed mittens are an adventure into new territory. I'd never done anything "thrummed" before. I'm done with the first and have the wrist done on the second. I'm hoping to have it done shortly after Christmas to send to a friend up north. They are way too warm to wear down here. In case, gentle reader, you're not familiar with thrummed garments, the little pink spots are the visible part of chunks of wool roving that line the inside and are very fuzzy warm. Each little chunk is pulled from the roving, smoothed into a yarn-like strand and knit into the mitten as it progresses. It has an afterthought thumb which I think is very cool.

December knitting

2007-12-20T12:40:00.000-02:00

I've finished up the Christmas socks - 17 pairs. I'm currently making a pair for me.
I'm now in the dreaded "second sock" phase. For you non-sock makers, the first sock is fun and exciting to see what this pattern will look like with this yarn. The second sock is just a chore. I'm trying to start a campaign for the style to change to wearing two different socks. Another approach is to find another sock knitter and trade to do the second sock. Any takers out there?

ELENA IS 4

2007-11-26T02:32:00.000-02:00

Today is Elena's 4th birthday. Dad and sister Jillian help open gifts.

Aunt Laura watches Elena catching butterflies with Elefun

Jillie developing a new way of eating cake - no utensils needed.

My new knitting passion

2007-11-23T13:26:00.000-02:00

I love these little garden gnomes created by Alan Dart. I'm sure I'll be making more of them.

Thanksgiving Feast

2007-11-23T11:18:00.000-02:00

And a good time was had by all at the Rector Family Thanksgiving Feast held at Matt and Marian's home this year.
Great food and delightful company.

Newest Knitting

2007-11-15T23:06:00.000-02:00

Lots of projects finished and on the needles

Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. It's hard to believe that the big glob of knitting at the top will fold into the sweater at the bottom. It's all done but putting on the buttons and sewing up the shoulder seams which are the only seams there are in it.
A cap for a 4 year old pirate friend of mine
Wrist warmers made of a yarn called Marble. I'll be making a Fake Isle cap with the same color yarn.

The beginning of my Swallowtail Shawl with Stan the Alpaca yarn.

My Fake Isle Hat

2007-10-30T15:36:00.000-02:00

I just finished my first Fake Fair Isle hat. It's made with Noro Silk Garden yarn that has very long stretches of one color before changing to another. The fair isle technique is genuine; it's just not changing the background color multiple times that makes it "fake". With two layers of yarn from stranding, it should be really warm for Pop's head this winter.

A Great Day for SEX (Stash Enhancement eXpedition) at the Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival

2007-10-28T01:24:00.001-02:00

Yahooooo

2007-10-06T22:31:00.000-02:00

I just found out about Family Search Indexing and got signed up and into it. I've done 1000 entries so far in 6 days. Lynn's doing it too. Mostly I've done 1900 census records for Michigan, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

One of the most interesting things was on the North Carolina page. The person's state/country of birth is in a column with his/her parents' places of birth in the next two columns. In the other 19 sheets I did, the places of birth especially for parents were all over the place - a great many in England, Germany, Sweden and lots of different states than the state I was working on. HOWEVER on the page for NC, every single person was born in NC and so were both parents. Does this say something?

A sad thing. When making a record for a woman, the question is asked # of births and # of living children. In 1900 of the 20 sheets I did more than half had lost at least one child and many of them had lost several. But they made up for it in total #. The highest I saw was 20. But lots had 10-12 births.

Contact me if you want to get involved in this and I'll tell you how.

Reunion 2007

2007-08-13T15:03:00.001-02:00

Sunday, Aug 12 was the annual reunion for our gang. Cousins enjoyed the food and fun. We decided we'll do it again next year.
Evelyn, Renee, Edra, Sharon, and Katie at the reunion. (Jonthan cleaning up)

Grandma Edie and the twins.

Renee and Greg relaxing.

Jonthan and Alyssa at the auction.

Nanny and me enjoying the kids. See, I told you my hair was grayer.
Mr. Kool dons shades from his kiddy bag.

Tom brought a game of beanbag skill.

Fun on the swings for Anna and Eliza.

Stars of the show this year were Heidi and Brooke, twin daughters of Debbie, Edra's daughter. Cousin Hannah above caught a ride in their little green wagon.

Pop and the Kit Car

2007-07-17T19:19:00.000-02:00

Pop is going be be building a car soon. We don't know what kind yet - he's still looking.
These are pix from one of the shows he went to recently.

I'm SOOOO excited.

Fourth of July at the Olson's 2007

2007-07-17T18:38:00.000-02:00

Great Fourth this year.
Breakfast for about 475.
Speeches, music, fireworks, yahoo.

We had our own bagpiper and the Catoctones, a barbershop chorus who were GREAT!!!Nathan was part of the Sheriff's Department honor guard that raised the flag.

Jillian enjoying herself. And big sister Elena all decked out with a crown of stars.

A frontiersman explained about being a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

We heard from the director of a local museum how the flag had changed over the years and what all the symbolism was about.
Roscoe Bartlet, our congressman, gave a few ideas of how we need to guard the Constitution in this our own time.
Veterans were acknowledged and honored for their devotion and service.

Pop "Paul Bunyan" Rector

2007-07-17T17:50:00.000-02:00

Pop decided that 2 of the trees in our back yard needed to go. One had a lot of dead branches and the other was in the way of where he wants to put a utility shed so.....
He cut it all up and hauled it away to the tree "recycling center". Then he chewed up the stumps with a rented stump eater. Then burned the roots down to a couple inches below the soil. So now they are well and truly gone.

Yard and garden this year

2007-07-17T17:21:00.000-02:00

Lots of green this year but we could use more rain.

The daylilies are really popping

We're growing lots of veggies this year. Corn, cauliflower, peppers, tomatoes, green beans, squash, chard, lettuce, melons, and onions. Of course the blackberries are going all out.

From my Stash

2007-05-15T11:28:00.000-02:00

These are socks I made for Lynn from the Blue Face Leicester wool I got at the Sheep and Wool Festival. They should keep his toes toasty.
The little pink ones are for one of the granddaughters.
They are made of Simply Soft by Caron.

These are some bibs I made from Cottontots. They just need
buttons that I will probably make from polymer clay.

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival 2007 and Stash Enhancement Xpedition (SEX)

2007-05-08T18:54:00.000-02:00

Sat urday, Lynn and I went to the Howard County Fairgrounds to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. There were exhibits and vendors from all over North America.

Sheep herding by border collies was demonstrated.

There were a few aliens also available to pet.

Lots to see and buy.

Including lace weight alpaca yarn and some lace weight shetland.
Lots of other wools and other yarns.
A nice woman showed me how to spin yarn with 2 CDs and a dowel. The little swatch in the picture is made from yarn I spun myself. The plastic bag is full of roving to be made into yarn. It's the natural color of the sheep (her name is Maya). The pink cotton candy looking stuff has
been dyed but is also roving. Zoom in and you can see my "spinning wheel".

I've already got a pretty good start on a Seraphina shawl made from the lace weight alpaca. It's SOOO soft.

Off Kilter Square

2007-05-04T20:45:00.000-02:00

I tried out a newly invented (by a member of one of my lists) pattern for a granny square. It's called "off-kilter" and is SOOO me. The color in this picture is not good. The center is lavender and the outside is a purple omber. It only looks blue in the picture. It's really quite pretty and interesting because of being deliberately askew. It will go to my next partner in the Crochet Partners Friendship Granny Square Exchange. Now I think I'll go make one for me.

Olivia's Afghan

2007-05-03T18:29:00.000-02:00

For Olivia's birthday this year, I made a lacy afghan with Caron Simply Soft in Victorian rose . I hope she likes it.

Bethany's Birthday

2007-05-03T18:23:00.000-02:00

Bethany and sisters, Anna and Leah play with musical toy.

Baby Bethany's very own cake for her first birthday

Elena's Day with Nana and Pop

2007-05-03T18:02:00.000-02:00

We watered some new flowers that had been planted the day before.
And we planted some seeds in pots to grow our own seedlings for more flowers later.

Then we cleaned. Elena vacuumed the kitchen with the "dust buster on a stick".
Dusting came next.

.
She is quite the baker - making chocolate chip cookies and whole wheat/oatmeal bread and rolls.

Finally done

2007-04-01T22:56:00.000-02:00

Twenty-four octagons and fifteen squares crocheted, then positioned and stitched together. Four rows of border and......
VOILA!!!!!!
For Anna's fifth birthday. Hugs from Nana.

Weekend in Richmond

2007-03-28T15:51:00.000-02:00

We stopped by Matt's new house on the way to his house in Richmond last weekend. It's coming right along. The drywall is up inside.

The kids were great for us. We were even able to get ready and go to Church by 9am. Aren't they just the cutest!

Sox, sox, sox

2007-03-21T20:51:00.000-02:00

One of the on-line groups I belong to have been branching out into sock knitting. I finished the pair with the sock yarn Ben and Susan gave me for my B'Day. They are really cozy, thanks, guys.
I enjoyed the sock knitting but am not too crazy about the price of sock yarn. So..... I found a book with patterns for using DK or WW yarn. They make up really quick but are too bulky for REAL socks. But they are great for running around the house in.
I made Lynn a pair and he actually wears them!!!!

I've got the first one done of a pair for me. I actually put a pattern into these. It's a mini-cable or twisted stitch, whichever you want to call it. I used James C. Brett "Marble" yarn, size 8 bamboo double pointeds , and the pattern is called Mini-cable Socks from the Annie's Attic book The Ultimate Book of Knit Socks. (Actually, I'm not too crazy about these patterns. I've become used to the traditional way of separating stitches onto the three needles. These patterns do a variation of that. I just follow their stitches but separate them the way I want. ;)
I weighed the sock I have done and yarn I have left and should be able to make one pair from one skein about $ 6 I think - much better than the pricey sock yarn.

SOME MORE BOBS/BOBBIES, HEDGEHOGS, ETC.

2007-03-21T20:35:00.000-02:00

Little chicks for grands for Easter - they have plastic eggs with candy inside. I used a strand of simply soft and a strand of lattice yarn to get the feathered effect. The one little rust colored one is a ribbon yarn.
I didn't make this little guy. I named him Arthur when I got him in a toy exchange in AtMyHouse. Found out later HER name is Milly the Moth. OOPS!!!

A bunny blanket buddy for a fellow grandma

Dean's birthday afghan

A family of hedgehogs

Big, fat gray squirrel that came to visit

Bashful Bobs and Bobbies (1 GI Bob)

NOT MUCH WINTER BUT KNITTING/CROCHETING LIKE CRAZY

2007-03-21T20:24:00.000-02:00

A seaturtle dishcloth for a friend's b'day

A butterfly dishcloth

A Bunny dishcloth

More off the hook

2007-02-09T15:07:00.000-02:00

These little guys are called Bashful Bob (and Bobbi?) It's hard to see but they have their hands in their pockets. Hence the bashful. Their caps are supposed to be sewn to their heads but I'm thinking they would be a good gift for a chemo kid with their little bald heads and a cap to wear.

Bookmarks for the bookmark exchange with AtMyHouse, a Yahoo group I enjoy.

Tunisian, knit and crocheted dishcloths for another exchange group in AtMyHouse.

A couple of granny squares going out on exchange with CrochetPartners.

Yeah, Yeah, More on the Kitchen

2007-02-09T14:45:00.000-02:00

I've put some stuff on top of the cabinets.
Lynn installed the new chandelier in the diningroom.

Off the hook

2007-01-25T18:36:00.000-02:00

I've been making granny squares to exchange with other crocheters. I've averaged 4 a week for January.

I've one and third socks done for ME. Yummy wool yarn compliments of Ben and Susan.

This little guy found his way off my needles this week. He's gray; going to have a brown cousin .

Timothy Turtle is going to need a bunch of siblings, I can see. He took off for parts unknown(?) last Wednesday. I'm sure he's found a happy home.

THE WINDOW IS IN !!!!!!

2007-01-25T18:19:00.000-02:00

Lynn has finished adding Pop's window to the kitchen.

Almost everything we had planned to do is done. You can also see here the giant faucet (but I really do like it.) The dish towels are hung on brushed nickle (like the rest of the hardware in
the kitchen) drawer pulls that cover the holes in the cabinets where the shelf used to be attached.

OK, I'm knitting and crocheting; Where's the Snow?

2007-01-13T22:59:00.000-02:00

The little angel is in Canada with my Angel Exchange partner.

The blue doily is living in Baltimore with someone from the Doily Exchange.

The chenille chicken wen t to my former boss for h er birthday.

And several granny squares are on their way to different places in the US.

And the blue angel dishcloth will go to one of my Visiting Teacher sisters.

Last Day of Work (at least for Intelsat)

2006-12-30T13:01:00.000-02:00

You know how you always take a picture of your kid as he goes out the door for his first day at school? Well, how about for his last day at work!

Christmas Day 2006 at Meadowview Drive

2006-12-26T16:41:00.000-02:00

Nathan, Lisa, Elena and Jillian came for brunch. We read books, played with toys and tried on new snow hats. (Jillian was not that fond of hers.)

)
Rusty and Cara and family came for the afternoon and evening. Bethany, Leah and Anna read books, played with toys and tried on new hats. Dinner was prime rib this year with the traditional Christmas sides. Ben, you missed your special sweet potato casserole. We had Nanny's Christmas angelfood cake for dessert.

Christmas in Richmond 2006

2006-12-24T14:05:00.000-02:00

c

We went to Matt's for the day on Saturday 12/23/06 and had a great time with the kids.
It was in the 60's so played outside .

Key to Christmas Card Photo

2006-12-06T21:46:00.000-02:00

Top row:
Olivia in Princess Leia Halloween costume
Dean at Fetty Holiday festivities (Charlotte just behind)
Nathan holding Jillian and Lisa with Elena
Rusty and Cara at Thanksgiving
Second row:
Charlotte and Elena in Pop's vibrating chair
Jillian and Bethany cracking each other up
Anna at home on the occasion of Bethany's blessing
Charlotte looking cute
Third row:
Dean, Olivia, and Elena making Pop Fetty's B'Day cake
Grant having breakfast at Nana's house
Marian holding Charlotte and Matt holding Grant with Dean and Olivia in front
Miss Leah in fancy hat
Bottom row:
Susan and Ben out and about
Evelyn and Lynn on Mt. of Olives, Dome of the Rock in background
Lynn among the excavation of old Roman city in Israel
Lynn reading on beach at Rodanthe, little town on North Hatteras Island

Almost Done !!!!

2006-12-04T14:14:00.000-02:00

We got the refrigerator through the diningroom door and into place. The stove went into it's spot too. Because we went with keeping the old cabinet over the microwave, we ended up with an 8-inch cabinet left over. I think it's going to go up under the current one next to the stove. You can see the end of it in the pix of the stove. We have to get Michael to make a finished surface for the end that shows before we put it into place.
I've been knitting like crazy. While shopping for yarn at Eleganza, a local LYS, I saw a knit hedgehog and fell in love. They had copies of the pattern there so I got one and had one done in a day. I'll make more the correct way with wool and felt his face and body. I'll post more pictures as I get them done.
Got most of the Christmas shopping done; ordered from Amazon.com. Now if it just gets here in time. I've eliminated 12-days-gifts this year - sorry, kids. With all the hubbub of the kitchen, I just didn't get it done. Next year I'll start earlier.
I think I'll do what Lisa did this year with my Christmas cards and write the newsletter (abbreviated) computer written in the card, stamp the front and TaDa - - - done!
I'm planning to start Christmas cookies today and make 2-3 batches each week to freeze for plates of cookies for HT, VT and neighbors. Besides it makes the house smell good. ;)

Now for Something Different - My Kitchen

2006-11-29T22:31:00.000-02:00

Tuesday Jim Purcell came to install the countertops and sink. It's Granola Corian and I really like it.
Wednesday Mike Chamberlin and Antonio came to finish up the cabinets. They put in the cabinet over the microwave and mounted the microwave. They put up two little shelves for the phone and base unit and a shelf over the refrigerator bumpout. They installed the three drawer cabinet in the corner over the countertop. They put in drawer dividers and spice racks in the spice cabinet over the baking center and tidied up everything with shoe molding and trim.

Fetty Annual Holiday Bash

2006-11-29T22:03:00.000-02:00

There were 44 in attendance at the Fetty holiday dinner this year.
Everybody brought their specialties and the food was GREAT!!! The kids had a great time and of course there was the traditional white elephant gift exchange. Chuck and three of his boys came in from Texas and we were all thrilled to see how they had grown up (Chuck too )

All Nine Grands in for Thanksgiving :)

2006-11-26T13:12:00.000-02:00

Three boys with wives and kids in tow came to dinner on Thanksgiving. Matt and Marian, Dean, Olivia, Grant and Charlotte came Wednesday evening and stayed until Saturday. Rusty and Cara, Anna, Leah and Bethany stayed with the Campbells but had dinner with us and came back to our house after the WV trip for a kids frolick on Friday. Nathan and Lisa, Elena and Jillian came over for dinner and on Saturday to play with the Richmond cousins. We had pumpkin cheesecake for celebrating birthdays for Ben, Nathan, Evelyn, and Elena all within 8 days. Elena blew out the candle.

THE NEW CABINETS

2006-11-21T10:01:00.000-02:00

Yesterday Mike and Bob brought the new custom cabinets and installed them.

They also took out the hated corner cabinet and revamped it.

The color and style exactly match the original cabinets (the color in my pix doesn't look like it, but they DO) and we love them. They still have to install the small cabinet over the microwave, the three drawer unit in the corner, the shelf over the refrigerator bumpout and the shelves in the corner for the phone. They'll do all that after the counter and sink are put in which hopefully will be next week. Lynn brought the stove in last night so that I can cook again and have turkey for Thanksgiving. It will have to be removed to install the counters. The refrigerator is staying in the livingroom until after the counters are in.
Mike after after a hard day's work.

A Pox on Sox - Just Kidding - I love it!!!

2006-11-16T17:35:00.000-02:00

Susan's got me into knitting socks. It's fun and I just finished a family of three pair. They've already found a home and are cuddling some cute feet.

GREEN NO MORE !

2006-11-16T16:33:00.000-02:00

Before I finished all the painting, I was already sick of the green which turned out much darker when seen on a whole wall than it appeared on a little chip....so back to the drawing board.
After deciding on Granola as the color for the countertop, we chose "vanillin" as the wall color, kind of a cream with a touch of peach.
Jim Purcell is doing the countertops with Corian and is shown here making the template. He's ready to do it but the color is backordered and will be until after Thanksgiving before he can get it and install it. :(

Lynn finished installing the new lights and painting the ceiling. He also changed a bunch of the electrical stuff. We put up border with a leaf motif and carried it on to the switch plates ( that may or may not stay - we're trying it out to see if we like it or if it's too weird).
We brought the new microwave in and put it on the counter to use until it can be installed above the stove.
The stove is now gone and we're operating on nuking, crockpoting, rotisserie, takeout and sandwiches until the stove can be put in.

The guys from Potomac Tile and Carpet came today to install the floor. They put down a thin layer of plywood and then the Permastone. The color is "Lavastone" and is gray/green/brown.

Cabinets are due to go in Monday we think. Lynn says we can move the new stove into the kitchen temporarily for Thanksgiving cooking but take it into the diningroom for installing the countertops whenever that happens.

It's Not Easy Being Green

2006-10-18T15:45:00.000-02:00

We've been getting ready and painting the last couple of days. So far, the old backsplash has had 2 coats of the gripper primer and one coat of the finished paint "Willow". All the rest of the walls that will show and some that won't have 2 coats of the tinted regular primer. I may get the first coat of Willow on the walls tonight. I even painted the inside of the bumpout which will be behind the refrigerator but you never know who may be looking there.
The part that is blue to the right of the taken-apart dishwasher will be behind a 3 drawer cabinet so is not getting painted. The dishwasher front is off and not in operation because it too has being painted with the gripper and has its first coat of "Bisque" to match the other appliances. Didn't want to replace it just to get the right color because it's still pretty new and works great but doesn't come with a bisque option for the front panel.
OK on to the floor. The cabinets are supposed to be installed by the first or second week in November. The floor is tentatively scheduled for November 16th, It's Permastone and is called "Lavastone" It is 16inch squares with fake grout/mortar/whatever you call that stuff on two sides. They are to be put in diagonally.
The little blocks that are on top of the sample are some of the choices for the Corian countertop. Those 4 are among the 30 choices that are in their get an upgrade without paying more promotion. You pay for "A" color but all these are "C" colors which would normally cost more. There are some "F's" among the choices but I don't like them as much. It looks like the bigger the little goobies in the pattern, the more expensive the countertop. The one to the far left is called "Moss" and is my current choice. The integrated sink is free and I think we're getting an extra deep one that is sort of an oval shape instead of rectangular.

Our day Saturday October 14, 2006

2006-10-15T11:33:00.000-02:00

Limbs from the oak tree were beating against the house so Lynn rented a chainsaw-on-a-stick and cut limbs off and we hauled them over to the mulching place at Walkersville - quite the adventure.
We ended up having two loads of limbs.

Then on to the kitchen

We got the primer coat on the backsplash around the counter top so that we can paint over it.

And Lynn got the old light fixture taken down and the new ones put up.

We still have to put lenses and outer coverings on them, but they work.

Mike, the cabinet man, is working on them and is looking at installing first or second week in November.
Scott, the floor man, was back this week to remeasure and we put the order in. He will install after the cabinets are installed.
We got measurements etc. by one countertop contractor who forgot to bring samples. He'll bring them by on Monday. He is the son of the across-the-back- fence neighbor. I like him but we have another contractor to see about the countertops. We will most likely be getting Corian with an integrated sink.

AT RODANTHE

2006-10-15T10:38:00.000-02:00

Toward the pier - a mile this direction from our house.

From the first floor (bedrooms) deck

From the upper deck

So cool to spend every afternoon reading on the beach with your butt in the surf.

I finished 2 afghans for Christmas gifts and worked on one baby afghan and a sleeved shawl.

From September 30 to October 7 Lynn and I went to the Outer Banks, NC to the little town of Rodanthe at the north end of Hatteras Island for a rest and relaxation vacation. Not much to do there except look (and listen) to the ocean, fish if you are so inclined, pick up shells, walk the beach, read and crochet. Weather was great in the 80's and only down to the 60's at night. The last night we were there, there had been a storm north of us that rained a lot. We didn't get the rain but the wind blew and the tide was way up, lapping at the house's pilings on the morning of our departure but it didn't stop the surfers or kiteboarders.

Aug 13 - Tennant Reunion

2006-08-26T20:15:00.000-02:00

There were 55 in attendance at the Ben and Eva Tennant reunion this year. Great food, lots of fun, pictures to share. Babies to hug.

Meanwhile Back in the Kitchen

2006-08-08T15:14:00.000-02:00

The cubbiehole for the frig is now enclosed and soon will have internal walls as well. This pix was before trimming the outside wall. It doesn't really stick up like that now.

In the meantime, I've learned some new craft stuff. Entrelac is a pretty fancy knitting technique. Here's a swatch I was practicing on. I've sent away for a pattern that I hope I'll be able to do and show you soon.

And here's a little guy I made for Grant. He's a frog complete with flies that he can carry inside. He's a little pouch for treasures. Flies are only the beginning.

And here are some flipflops for the cold, cold drinks so they don't sweat on your tables and to help your guests keep track of which color is theirs.
Cute, huh?

And Yet I Keep Crocheting

2006-08-02T16:42:00.000-02:00

In an effort to keep calm in the midst of chaos , I retire to my room and crochet. Here is my latest. I found on-line a pattern for a 1940's style chair back doily thingy. It was in pineapple pattern which I like and I wanted to try it in yarn instead of thread and make it into a shawl; so I did. It's on the floor but I'll try to get someone to model it for a picture soon. It appears white but is really pineapple yellow ;)

A Work in Progress - a view from the garage

2006-08-01T15:00:00.000-02:00

On Monday Lynn took the day off and worked on building the cubbie hole and getting water and electricity for the frig.

It was hot.

Now we have a floor and two walls, sort of.

It's All About the Kitchen

2006-07-29T15:10:00.000-02:00

Friday we went to Sears and put down the big bucks for a new stove, refrigerator and over the stove microwave. Big sale ;)

So no turning back now!!!

Lynn has always liked to make holes in the walls of our home.

Today he got the thrill of a lifetime.
Check it out.

This is what the south wall of the kitchen looked like this morning.

This is what it looked like from in the garage.

Now, here's the view of the garage from the kitchen at lunchtime.

Finishing Off the Pile of WIPs

2006-07-25T15:29:00.000-02:00

After joining CrochetPartners, I find myself starting every new interesting pattern I see. Soooo,
I have a whole bunch of projects going at one time - many with no specific recipient in mind. I decided that I needed to make myself a rule - only 3 WIPs (works in progress) at a time. I must finish them off to only 2 left unfinished before I can start another. To that end, here are some of my recent projects finished up.

The Kitchen

2006-07-23T12:58:00.000-02:00

Once more into the breach, dear Friends. We've started work on the kitchen make over.
We had 2 companies out to measure for the new floor before Lynn decided we would do the bumpout into the garage for the refrigerator. He's going to do it himself : 0

So far we've taken out three cabinets and the soffit all around the room. Million year old stove goes soon. But first a hole in the wall behind it and a little cubbiehole built in for the new frig. Lynn found a guy he works at the temple with who is a cabinet maker. He thinks he can match our old cabinets (everyone else around here said that there was nothing like them made by retail cabinet makers now) We want to put the whole west wall in storage cabinets :)

Lynn's Dad's stained glass windows will fit in the kitchen window. We're looking into doing that.

Hooks and needles

2006-07-23T12:49:00.000-02:00

Got a new pattern for footies and made a pair for me in camoflage so now you can't see my feet.
Got a pattern from a magazine in Brazil and learned to crochet with symbols on a chart instead of text. I made this bolero/shrug for one of the granddaughters. I got Elena to model it.

Fourth of July 2006

2006-07-23T12:39:00.000-02:00

Breakfast at the Olson's Ranch this year was lots of fun 300-400 other people. I went with Nathan and family. (Seen here with daughter Jillian) Main entertainment was the Catoctones, a group of about 20 men singing like a barbershop quartet.

The Annual Russell Fetty Birthday Bash - Maryland Venue

2006-07-02T21:25:00.000-02:00

Lots of kids and chocolate cake at the 2006 festivities. Daisies this year were of the fondant variety hand sculpted by Dean, Olivia, Elena, and Grant (out of sight at the moment).

A buffet of spare ribs, corn on the cob, several salads, strawberry pie and chocolate cake was served on the patio and surrounding grounds.

Those in attendance from the Richmond contingent of the family included Susan and Marian Rector,
and husbands Ben and Matthew.

Also attending from Richmond were Charlotte, Dean, Olivia and Grant.

Crossing Oppossumtown Pike to attend were Nathan and Lisa Rector with Jillian and Elena.
A merry time was had by all.

Latest WIPs

2006-06-26T07:46:00.000-02:00

The place Dad and I picked out on the Outer Banks at Rodanthe. We'll be there 9/30-10/7

My newest granny square for exchange. My last one like this was done in blue and went to a lady in Edmonton, Ontario. The little caps are for chemo kids at Johns Hopkins. I still have to put some gold edging on the tiara on the lavender one. You can't see the camoflauge (sp?) one very well. It's cute and looks like a little army cap with a bill. The peach thing is a hooded sweater (inspired by Aunt Susan) that's knit from the top down. I'm almost to the point of separating off stitches for sleeves that will be finished later. You've just got to love yarn ;)

Whazzup?

2006-06-25T20:34:00.000-02:00

I'm excited that Matt and family and Ben and Susan are coming up this weekend. I haven't seen the 4 grands in quite a while.

Busy on the knitting/crocheting front. Finished 3 Seraphina shawls this week (little ones for the grands), 3 exchange granny squares and one kitchen angel.

Lynn and I are going to pick our vacation house on the Outer Banks tonight.

Our RS president was just called to be Stake RS president so we should all be released next week. Then what? hard to say. A break would be great.

Last Wednesday was my last day at IMA. I still go back each week for my allergy shots; kind of weird seeing them all again when I am free and they are still rats in the ratrace.

It's storming here so I'd better get off the computer. :0

At the Luau Saturday at Olson's - too kewl !!

2006-06-19T18:02:00.000-02:00

Saturday night the ward had a luau at Olson's Ranch and roasted a pig in the ground. The Washington DC chapter of BYU Hawaii alumni came and did native Hawaian, Fijian, Samoan and Tongan dancing complete with native dress. It was truly cool.

Almost a Woman Of Leisure

2006-06-19T17:02:00.000-02:00

After 16 years on the work force, I'm leaving to chase my own dreams.
I plan to spend time crafting, reading, exploring my surroundings and doing genealogy and temple work.