Traditional Turns Twenty

A week ago this past Sunday, Sheryl came over for a quick spinning lesson on my Ashford Traditional. She then went home with the said Traditional and has been playing with it when she can. It was fun to see the spark of having "got" it while she was practicing. It took me back to my own first lesson on the Traditional 20 years ago this past Friday. What a difference spinning has made in my life and how I react to different situations in life.

Spinning has been a mainstay in my life for the past 20 years and I am glad that I have this quiet, peaceful time to meditate, calm down from daily stresses, and NOT kill my kids when they got me so riled up. On the plus side of spinning, I get to create one of a kind yarns which I can make into one of a kind garments for my friends, family and me to enjoy for years to come. And I can share my interests with others and get them "hooked" also.

So thanks, Bud, for buying me the Traditional for Christmas all those many years ago. He never thought it would still be in my life all these years later and he was surprised to see the spinning wheel still in my home when he visited for the first time four years or so ago.

Even though the Traditional isn't my daily spinner now, it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Christmas Giving

Now the Christmas is over and the kids have opened their hand knits, I'll show you some of the socks I knit for all the kids for Christmas. I completed 11 pair of socks over the course of the year!
I am still working on one pair for ES, they could have been done in time for Christmas, but I had to rip them - twice! I am now on the cuffs, toe up, so it won't be long until he can start wearing his.
The last pair here, with the darkest background, was actually my first pair completed. I finished them back in February. The orange pair was the pair knit from the Soctober pattern from Through the Loops and it took me two months to get them done! The self-striping pair was knit in April.

I'm glad this project is over with, maybe now I can knit a pair of socks for myself. At least, that can be the plan until I find something else I want to work on. Next, more socks and the wedding shawl from October.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Happy Holiday

Happy Holidays to everyone!

Our day was quiet, the first one without any kids around. My mom has talked about not opening gifts until 10 or 11 in the morning and I used to think, "how could you wait that long'. But today was just that sort of a day.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

Happy knitting and spinning.

New Job

Just a quick note to let you know I'm still here. I'm working on Christmas, but have started a new to me job. Orientation was last night and my first real day of work is today. Talk about scary! I worked at me last job for 22 1/2 years and knew just about everything to do with the company in one way or another. Now I am starting all over again and I think that is scary. Instead of khaki and blue, I'm now wearing khaki and red. Won't the red look good with my red hair? I've never been much of a red wearer, so this will be a change. I only own two red shirts so a shopping trip is in order before very long. And I really love shopping---NOT!

Happy knitting and spinning. Next post will have pictures, I promise.

Happy Belated E

I was remiss yesterday in not mentioning that it was "E's" 23rd birthday. I can't believe that that much time has passed since I became a mother. E was a very good child. In fact, I have said on numerous occasions that it was a good thing he was first in the birth-order or I would never have had the others. He isn't perfect, but then none of us are. He has turned into a wonderful young man, husband, and father. I'm glad he's in my life, even if he is 2500 miles away.

Happy Belated E!

And happy birthday to E's uncle Alan. Nineteen years apart to the day. Alan called when I went into labor with E on the 10th and said, "wait until after midnight to have that baby!" Granted, he called at like 11 pm on the 10th. Yes, Alan, I'm glad you're in my life too. But, I am glad that most of the teasing is over with. You're better to live with when your not a teenager!

Happy knitting & spinning.

PS. Just a note, I will be posting pictures of finished projects on Ravelry soon. I know the people they are intended for aren't on there. And no, C you can't cheat and get on there to tell people what they are getting.

Christmas Cactus Blooms

For the past couple of mornings, I have watched the morning sun shine on this Christmas cactus. It has been a beautiful sight to see. The cactus has this halo around it and I thought it was time to share the blooms. I gave a start to ES's step-sister and she even has buds on her plant. But then, I did tell her the best kept secret of the castor oil.

It seems fitting that we should have the cactus' blooming, seeing as how we had a Christmas party last night. ES and I were in charge of the church Christmas dinner/party which was held last night. It went off very well, at least I think so. We did run out of meat, but not until close to the end. I think everyone that wanted meat got some. We had lots of potatoes left, so divided them up and sent them home to different people. We spent more than we probably should have, but isn't that what happens at Christmas time anyway. Now that this party is over, I think I can get my own home ready for the season. And finish up that Christmas shopping and get things sent back to the kids.

I have been busy working on Christmas knitting and it is coming along fairly well. I have to get it done soon so it will be at the respective homes to open on Christmas day. Only a few more things to go.

ES got us tickets to see The Polar Express in 3-D at the IMAX theater in one of the museums tonight. We are taking my sister, who is visiting, with us. We are going to ride the metro down and it should be a fun night. We might even go see the National Christmas Tree, but won't know until we get down there and start doing stuff. We took Beth to the Udvar-Hazy museum when we picked her up Friday night. She had fun seeing some of the planes and kept saying, "I'll have to bring the boys now." Their little ones are really into planes, space shuttles, and they know all the stats on the different planes which is really amazing for ones so young.

Happy knitting and spinning.

Monday Sunset

I just thought I would share today's sunset with you. The picture was taken with my phone camera, so it didn't turn out as pretty as the real thing. The orange was just radiating upwards and looked so cool! I kept looking at it as I was driving home from the library. I finally had to pull over and take this picture. Sunsets are one of my favorite times of the day. I love the watch the colors as they parade across the sky. I guess that is why I like sunrises also.

I've been busy working on Christmas stuff today. I might get everything done in time, but will have to wait to find out for sure.

Happy knitting & spinning.