YEAH!!

The wait is over. The preliminary report is Fibroadenoma Duct Hyperplasia. Non-cancerous. From what little I can find on a search through my favorite search engine, it is fairly common in the 20's and 30's, usually under 35 though, and you can have it as you age as well. It looks like it has to do with the normal hormones of the female body. There is the risk of reoccurence and it becoming cancerous later, though I will also ask my doctor about that. There is no breast cancer in my family. I don't know yet if they will want to just take it out so it doesn't show up on future mammograms or not. I will check with my doctor when they get the final report. I am relieved to say the least. Now I won't be jumping everytime the phone rings. I have to say though that my husband has been a rock behind me this whole time. He has taken days off of work and working from home, to go through all of this with me. Even the technicians with the biopsy noticed how attentive he is. I think I am a lucky woman!! No, I know I am a lucky woman!!

No News is Good News?

Well I hope that saying holds true. I did not hear from my doctor's office on Friday so I called them a little after 2:00pm. They had not received the fax from the pathologist. I do know the pathologist works today, but my doctor won't see it today. Hopefully Monday?

Kim's violet has a second bud that has opened up. Now we wait for the third one. It will probably take another week.

I have my Project Spectrum project for the first two months!! I joined an KAL at the lys store last year. We did the 4 Seasons Afghan. We enjoyed it so much that we wanted to do another one this year. We chose an Aran Afghan this time, the booklet is put out by Leisure Arts and is called, "60 Easy-To-Knit Pattern Stitches Combine to Create Sampler Afghans." I put in an order to KnitPicks yesterday for Wool of the Andes in the colorway Mist. It is a medium gray. I think it will show the cables beautifully. Even though our class or KAL will only do 12 squares, I plan to do 20. I hope the yarn comes this week!!

I am almost done with the second sock of the Rock and Weave Fairgrounds, but I haven't taken any pictures yet. Next time.

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers.

Thank YOU!!

Thank you everyone for the comments and the thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate them. I briefly spoke with my personal doctor today and he was willing to give me a relaxant of some kind. I think I'll be fine. They (the radiologist and nurse) said the results would be to my doctor in two days, but he isn't expecting them that quickly. It would be great if they were!! Then I could relax a bit.



I had an enjoyable day today. Kim and I volunteered at the library for an hour. We did one cart that was full of non-fiction books. Those are the hardest for Kim to do. The numbers can be really confusing, compared to the fiction, where it's all alphabetical order. The cart of non-fiction had, two shelves. It took us 35 minutes. The second cart was also 2 shelves of books, but it was new fiction and much easier to put away.



Later I took John to his piano lesson then he accompanied me to my doctor for a quick blood test for a life insurance policy we are working on for myself. We tried yesterday after having spent the afternoon at the hospital and it didn't work, I was too dehydrated. It almost didn't work this time even though I had been drinking my normal amounts of water. Then the two of us went to a late lunch at P.F. Changs. The place was almost empty at 3:00. That was really nice!!



My dad sent me these pictures of his orchids. They are just lovely. I sent him his first orchid maybe 2 years ago for his birthday. He had mentioned the previous year that he was interested in growing them. He has really gotten into it and has probably half a dozen plants now.

The Day to Day Grind

Usually we are pretty laid back at home, whether it is in homeschooling, keeping up with the house, whatever. Today however was a different story. My lovely, talented, and somewhat stubborn daughter came to me today asking for schoolwork. Right now. Not when you are done with what you are doing, but right now, at 9:30 in the morning. Do I have a lesson plan? Nope. Am I even in the right mind for this? Nope. So, I was flying by the backseat of my pants. For 30 minutes she read the instructions herself for one page of handwriting, and did two other pages of phonics. I don't know what came over her, but can it happen again tomorrow? The next question is, will I be ready?

I found this as I was passing her room yesterday.

Take note of the eyeglasses, which she is supposed to wear for reading and doesn't. She is using an easel that she received for Christmas. She has wanted one for years, so when I saw one in early November, I bought it. She loves it!!

Prayer and thought request please. I had a mammogram today, the second in less than a month. I also had an ultrasound of same area. Wednesday morning I go in for an ultrasound breast needle biopsy. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I am hoping that the kids can keep busy and keep it out of their minds for now. Wednesdays are John's busiest days in class. He seemed worried this morning as he left for school, I had to pull him back and give him a big hug as he went out the door. He's my silent one that has the biggest puppy dog eyes when he is worried.

I am knitting. I am doing the Rock and Weave socks from the STR Rockin' Sock Club. I think it was the first or second pair to be sent out last year. I am about 3/4 done with the first one, and about 1/4-1/2 done with the second one. Maybe by the weekend, but don't count on it. I am going to rip out the purple sweater. It is bigger than I want it to be. First I need to count how many stitches I have on it, and do the gauge measurement so I can be sure to come up with the right size.

Snow Days AGAIN

Even though the picture date says yesterday, it really was today. Accomplishements? No Knitting. No Quilting. Watching Lots Of News Coverage. Read A Little Bit. Talked To My Stranded Daughter (she spent the night at a friend's home and will be there for several days, probably). Took A TWO HOUR Nap. Did Run The Dishwasher And The Dryer.

It is not supposed to be melting anytime soon, in fact it is supposed to freeze again tonight so the roads will be icy tomorrow.

About a 3 1/2 inch on top of the mailbox and in the driveway.

This was a 2-inch icicle yesterday, today it is closer to 6 inches.

And the violet has finally bloomed. We've had it for several years, it's flowers wilted and never bloomed again until now. We noticed the buds about a week before Christmas. It belongs to Kim.

Project Spectrum

Starts February 1st.

February / March

Blue, White, Gray

April / May

Green, Yellow, Pink

June / July

Red, Black, Metallics

August / September

Brown, Orange, Purple

I had an idea for the blue/white/gray the other day, didn't write it down and now I have forgotten what it was. Oh well. For the green/yellow/pink, I have some of my own spun yarn that I want to transform into something else. I think I might knit a bag and felt it. I also have some pink yarn for some pink ribbon socks. I've wanted to make those for several years now. The red? Definitely grandma's feather and fan socks. I don't have any ideas for the brown/orange/purple, but I am sure I can come up with a purple project.

Pajama Day

I switched over to the new Blogger last night, now my lavendar field looks like it has a line through the middle of it, was it there before? As I am writing this it looks like there are some added features, but I haven't explored them yet........I know as soon as I try to do something on that end of things, I am going to delete my whole text. I have done that before.

I missed out on some International Pajama Day that happened last Sunday, so I am taking today as my International Pajama Day. It is so cold today, though the sun has popped out a couple of times to say hi. Dh had an early meeting at work today or he might have stayed home. We knew there was the possibility of snow, but it didn't give us much. The roads in some areas are icy from previous bits of snow/rain over the last couple of days, and then the temperature dropping down last night. The last time I checked a bit ago, it wasn't above 32 degrees F. It is supposed to go down to the teens tonight, between 16 and 20 F. I think we need to keep the stove going all night. Between the time we got up this morning and the time dh left for work, it did this, and it's still there.

I finished my Marble Arches a couple of nights ago. I like the pattern, but they are a little big at the top. I figure they can slouch a little bit. It amazes me that a lot of folks use all of their yarn and the little key chain emergeny skein as well. I always thought I had big feet, because my feet are bigger than my mom's feet. Actually I went into REI the other day and the guy there was measuring my feet, they should be 7 1/2, but I choose to wear a bigger shoe so my toes aren't squished together.

Last year all over the knitting blogland I saw posts about Project Spectrum. Lots of beautiful colors and projects to go along with it. As I was reading blogs last night, I saw somewhere about the PS2 project. Lolly is starting a second Project Spectrum for this year. It starts in February, and you can check it out here. I am curious to see how it will play out for me. Some of the colors I rarely use in my knitting, though use them in my quilt blocks for other people. I am considering doing more with the PS2 than just knitting. It can be any hobby really, and I am thinking of the digital camera that I hardly know how to use. (We've had it for at least 4 years) Now I just have to choose which button to use, I like both of them.

I started doing some needle felting yesterday. I am using sheets of felt instead of the roving, only because I didn't have the right colors of roving. When it's done I'll show you the whole picture.

When I set my mind to it...........

oh and my fingers, I can get a sock done in a few days.

I quickly ripped these out yesterday and got them back on the needles in the smaller size. I was able to get through 5 repeats of the pattern, then today did a 6th repeat and the heel. I am about 1/3 of the way into the foot and they fit pretty well. I am making sure I take notes as I make changes in the number of stitches and decreases so I can do the same to the second sock.




This is what happens when I am working really hard to get a project done. Creases in the finger, and if you look above my watch there is a red patch. It is some type of inflammation that I get when I spend too much time knitting. I noticed it this afternoon. I have had it before and it doesn't hurt.




Another lazy week with a few dr. appointments scattered through it. Next week we will start back to our regular schedule of classes.

Lots of Ideas

I always seem to have a running commentary going in my mind. Sometimes it just drives me nuts. I'll think about something, (usually while I am out doing errands) and think, Oh I can blog about that, or see something really interesting, or hear something on the radio. It goes on and on. Maybe I need to keep my mind occupied in other ways.

We took down our Christmas tree today. I had enough of the pine needles and watering it. It was starting to grow some interesting spider webs too, though we never saw big spiders, just little tiny ones. It's out of the house now, and the house has been vacuumed and swept from top to bottom, but less than 5 minutes later, I spy pine needles. I will be picking them up and vacuuming them for weeks.

I have some finished objects to share, and some that I have started, just tonight even.

First off, the cabled hat for Robert. I used the same yarn, just a different color, probably bark. It is a dark chocolate with flecks of cream in it. I finished it Friday night.



I knit a second scarf from Scarf Style. It is the same pattern as the previous silk scarf, just a slightly different color. I gave it to my aunt yesterday for Christmas. I think she liked it. I am pleased to give away my knitting and know that it is appreciated. I think I finished it on Tuesday and had time to block it nicely. It is the same HandMaiden SeaSilk, knit on size 6 needles, with the variation of stockinette stitch on the wrong side, instead of the pattern in the book. The pattern is Midwest Moonlight.



I almost forgot the started item. Marble Arches from the Rockin' Sock Club at BMFA. It was the October package. I have started one sock, and I don't like it, it is going to be too big. I did the medium size, so I am going to rip it out and do the small size. It is hard to get started. You cast on twice as many stitches, then K2tog, or P2tog to get back to a normal number of stitches. It's those K2tog and P2tog that kill my hands. Maybe I will start them on DP's instead of the circs and see if it is a little bit easier. This is only the second sock that I have started from the club. I am hoping to make some headway on them and maybe another pair before February when the new year shipment comes out. I realized that I had made 3 pairs of socks for myself this year though. I thought it was only one, so was pleasantly surprised.




We have had the most laid back week. Robert had to work Christmas Eve, briefly, then we have had a whole week and then a few extra days to just do nothing. Christmas Day was the usual, open presents, think about dinner. We had our next door neighbors over for a late dinner. I think we finally ate around 4:00 pm. The rest of the week was an absolute DO NOTHING week. Well, except Wednesday, I had to go to the chiropractor, because I hurt my back. It is almost back to normal now. And Friday had several appointments including a lunch date with friends. Other than that it was a lazy week.

After tomorrow, it will be back in the swing of things with piano lessons, and a new dance class. John still has one more week off before the college starts back. That was my favorite part of Christmas vacation while we were in college, the 3 weeks off.

I hope you all have a Happy and Safe New Year.

Six Weird Things About Me

AAAHHH, I was tagged by Suz. (And I just realized I can't spell weird/wierd, it doesn't follow the rules!)

"THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the "6 weird things about you." People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. Don't forget to leave a comment that says "you are tagged" in their comments and tell them to read your blog."

1. I didn't drive or get my license until after I was 18.

2. I collect recipes, from magazines, newspapers, internet.....but I don't use very many of them. They sit in boxes and collect dust, until I get frustrated and put them all in the recycle bin without going through them.

3. I never finished college, but I did go to a trade/technical school and came away with a certificate for Medical Assisting. I even took the state or national boards for it and passed.

4. When I crawl into bed, I have to read for at least 15 minutes. If I can't read, it takes me a very long time to fall asleep. I try to go to bed before everyone so I can read.

5. I love G**gle, and will make up excuses to look something up on G**gle. I used to think we needed an encyclopedia set, but not anymore.

6. I have this funny condition. I CAN go into a yarn shop and not buy anything.

Hmm, who do I tag? Sidsel, Kristin, LavenderSheep, Sheri, Rebecca, and Brandie. If anyone else wants to do this meme, consider yourself tagged and let me know when you do it.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve here and I think we are ready for Santa. The cookie plate is prepared, though the Egg Nog is still in the fridge.

Merry Christmas to all of my friends near and far.

I Love the Scarf and Hat!!

I finished up John's scarf and hat from the Irish Hiking Scarf KAL. This was a pretty easy knit, repetitious enough that I didn't have to continually look at the pattern, but not too boring either. He likes it alot, though it will be wrapped as a Christmas present.








I modified the pattern just slightly by going down at least one or two needle sizes and dropping one of the cable repeats on the scarf. It turned out to be a good size for him. I used 4 balls total of the Kathmandu Aran. After 2 balls for the scarf, I started on the hat just to make sure I would have enough yarn. The hat took less than 1 1/2 balls, so I used the rest of the second ball to finish the scarf. Then I did wash and block it a bit so you can see the cables more.

One of the other items that I finished last week was a vest for CIC and finally got a picture taken of it today.

Christmas Bells

"Christmas Bells"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

(The original poem, complete with all seven stanzas)

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


Then from each black accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!


And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"


Please go here to read the story behind the poem, it is eye-opening, tragic and uplifting.

The reason I came across this piece today, I was listening to Frank Sinatra sing this song in a very slow and somber tone. Almost like he might have been singing it after a USO event during one of the wars. It really made me stop and listen to the words. So many times today it seems like Christmas is all about getting, getting, getting. Rush here, Rush there. Ignore the pedestrians while I try to get to that parking spot. There is so much more to Christmas than just that, but that is a whole 'nother post or two!!

Well, most of it.......

The rain is back, after a nice week of weather. Not too sunny, a little cold, but overall not too bad at all. The only thing I don't like about this time of year is the rain. I think it's a love/hate relationship. I like it if I can stay inside, love the green of Oregon because of the rain. I don't like to be in it, especially if it is windy.




Kim and I finished the cookies first thing yesterday morning, then went out to put up outside Christmas lights (before the rain started). I normally don't do it, Robert and Kim usually do it, if we do it at all. This is only the second year we have had lights up, and I don't remember having them up last year. Today we just need the engineer to figure out how the extension cords should go and if we will have enough cords or outlets to light it all.

I started a scarf last night, ripped it out and restarted it. The Irish Hiking Scarf. It is an easy knit!! I started it with the needles suggested and the number of stitches. After 3 repeats, it was 10 1/2 inches wide, when it should have been 5 1/2 inches wide. I went to the KAL site into their archives to see if else had that problem. Yep, but the suggestion was to get a couple of repeats done and the cables would pull it in. Are you kidding me? So, I went down two needle sizes and cut out one of the cable sections. It looks much better. I think it is over 12 inches long now and I'm not even done with one skein. I am using Kathmandu Aran by Queensland Collection. Color is 120, a soft grey tweed. It is so soft to work with. Hmm, must the bit of silk and cashmere in it with the merino. I bought enough to do the hat with it.

I love this time of year

The colors, the music, the baking........

This wreath is so ugly, but it's a tradition around here. I made it the summer that I was 18. I had never done anything like this before. I don't know why we keep it, but dh won't let me get rid of it. Maybe it needs some more filler/greenery.



I don't like this arrangement as much as the other one I did. I think it's droopy and missing something. I'll work on another one here before Christmas.





I am tired of the music on the radio, so went online to find something different. It does have ads to get you to become a VIP member, but the songs are somewhat different. Live 365 Radio. You can search for other genre as well.

Harry Simeone Chorale Christmas is a Birthday
You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch by Thurl Ravenscroft sung the song.
Julie Andrews
Frank Sinatra
Tommy Dorsey
Bing Crosby
The Beach Boys
Brenda Lee





Kim and I are going to a cookie exchange on Sunday. We baked 5-6 dozen of these sugar cookies tonight. These are a favorite from dh's childhood. Tomorrow we are making snickerdoodles. YUM!!

Your a Mean One, Mr. G.

Your Grinch name is:
Crabbycrab Crankynoodle

Find your own Grinch Name.


The rest of my families names are pretty funny.

There is
Peevishgrouch Crankynoodle

Stingyfrown Crankynoodle

Gloomycrab Crankynoodle.

SNOW DAY

Well, not quite, but almost......

This is what we woke up to this morning.



I have another picture just like this, but it doesn't have that funny big white spot on the middle window of the van. It took me a while to realize that it was actually a snow flake coming down. It was snowing little flakes when I went out to take these pictures.


As I came inside, I looked up and saw blue sky and it's snowing at the same time!!




This one was taken just a little bit ago, 10:40 AM PST. It had stopped snowing for several hours, and just started up. Now, it's done again for a while.

Turkey Soup

I made out menus for the week, trying to use up some more of the turkey that we have left over from Thanksgiving. I make a pretty good chicken noodle soup, so I thought, why not make it turkey noodle this time. Here's my Turkey Rice soup recipe. (I didn't want to do noodles)


1 TBSP olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 carrot, cubed about 1/2 inch, or about 15 baby carrots
5-6 small to medium potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
Approximately 46 oz chicken broth, (I used one can(14.5 oz) of some brand, and one box(32 oz) of Pacific Natural Foods chicken broth)
1 1/2 cups cut up turkey (I used the dark meat)
1/2 cup instant brown rice
1/2 cup half and half or cream
1 can (14? oz) creamed style corn
salt and pepper to taste

Saute the onions and celery for several minutes until the onions are almost opaque, then as you have them chopped add the carrots and potatoes. Saute them for a few more minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the rice, lower the temp to low-medium and let it simmer/light boil for about 15 minutes or until the potatoes and rice are done. Add the turkey, the creamed corn, the half and half, and salt and pepper. Let it warm for about 5 minutes, then enjoy.

About Me

I saw this on FluffyKnitterDeb's blog.


1. FIRST NAME? Tammy

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? A Song "Tammy's In Love" by Debbie Reynolds
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Earlier today when I reread part of my blog about grandma

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Nope, I go to fast and it looks like it

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCHMEAT? Turkey breast

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS
WITH YOU? I think so

7. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? Besides this, nope.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No, but I have experienced something like it when I was in 12th grade. I jumped headfirst off a rock face, tied to the rock climbing ropes, but with no helmet (we didn't use them back in the 80's.) I was told by my best friend that my head came with in inches of the rock.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Oatmeal

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? No

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Headstrong, but not otherwise.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Bordeaux Cherry

14. SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2-9

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I procrastinate and get angry at my kids, though I have gotten better about the anger.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Grandma

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? No, but if you do on, let me know so I can come read it on your blog.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS, SHIRT AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Black jeans, Christmas denim shirt, black shoes.

20. LAST THING YOU ATE? Leftover turkey dinner

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Christmas music nonstop on the local Christian station.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELL? Grapefruit, Polo on dh.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Penny

25. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU ARE ATTRACTED TO? Hair, smile.

26. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON you stole THIS from? Yes, though I haven't met her in real life.

27. FAVORITE DRINK? Coffee

28. FAVORITE SPORT? Oregon State Football YEAH BEAVS!! They won the Civil War game today.

29. EYE COLOR? Blue

30. HAT SIZE? No clue….

31. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? No, they don’t like my eyes.

32. FAVORITE FOOD? Potatoes and rice.

33. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.

35. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter, warm fires, and snow. Not the rain though or the wind.

36. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs

37. FAVORITE DESSERT? Fudge

40. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The latest Artemis Fowl, The Lost Colony by Eoin Colfer

l41. WHAT’S ON YOUR MOUSE Pad? The green of the armrest.

42. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? A Movie on the Hallmark Channel. "Thicker than Water" (I think) It had Melissa Gilbert and Lindsey Wagner in it.

43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? Love ya mom.

44. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beattles

45. THE FURTHEST YOU’VE BEEN FROM HOME? Minnesota when I was a kid living in California

46. WHAT’S YOUR SPECIAL TALENT? Great listener?

47. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Modesto, California

48. WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I took it from FKD's blog

Two Weeks

WOW, it has been two weeks since I blogged. Well, I do have an excuse.......I just haven't felt like it, so there. I have been somewhat busy though. That last Sunday that I posted, we had dropped my parents at my aunt's home so they could get in a last minute visit before flying home. I think I came home and did all of the laundry and cleaned house to try to get back to a normal feeling around here. That same week, I had two Drs. appointments, one for a regular checkup and the other with the chiropractor. My back has been hurting since September right after we did all of that applesauce. I got it fixed though, for the most part. The chiropractor did a number on my back. He said I had a subluxated L-5, so it was lower back. He really whopped it into shape. It hurt so bad for almost another week, then all of a sudden it stopped. It feels much better now, unless I stand for too long.

We have skipped volunteering at the library for a while. Our volunteer coordinator told us to just take a break and come back when we feel ready. I am not ready for it, but Kim is ready now.

John signed up for classes next term. He's taking his second lower level writting class, and a Biology class with a lab. He might try for a PE class as well. He also wants to get a job. He actually asked for help figuring out what he could do, so I made him a long list of places to try. Mostly stores, grocery, Target, coffee shops, etc. I've actually stopped in to two of the places to ask if they were hiring, and they were, but you have to be 18. What's with that, when Oregon's law says 16. I am hoping he will try Starbucks and get a job there. YUM!!

Speaking of Starbucks......there's a new one at the little shopping center I frequent when the kids are at piano lessons. There is also a new store called Tuesday Morning. I love Tuesday Morning!!

I was out with the crowds this morning, not as early though as some years. I didn't have anything in particular I was looking for, but Kim had clothes on the brain. She came home with several sweaters and shirts, and I did actually find some add-ons to my Christmas dishes. A really cool pie plate with a little bird that vents so your pie doesn't overflow, and two covered tea cups with their own little infusers. I bought two instead of four because I think that Kim and I will be the only ones to use them. If I'd known there were all these goodies to go with them, I might have spent more money. Maybe it's a good thing I didn't know. We wandered the mall a bit, it was fun. I think I need to go more often, just to wander the stores.

Ok, back to last week. I had our knitters group over with their families for an evening dinner of soup and side dishes like bread, salad and desserts. I made Taco Soup and a Hungarian Mushroom soup. Both are really good, very hearty and vegetarian. I had a good time, I think everyone else did too. It was great, everyone was able to come, there were 9 adults and 7 kids. We will probably have another get-together before Christmas.

This week has been different in both good and bad ways. It was a nice break to not have my parents here for the week before Thanksgiving. My mom likes to go, go, go, and I don't. We had dinner at the neighbor's house last night instead of at our house. It was a very relaxing Thanksgiving Day, but it was different. My brother didn't come over. He said he didn't like the holidays. We missed him last year because he was in Malaysia working. I don't know about him, but I know this year has been kind of depressing and I think it will get to be more so for a while. Tomorrow would have been grandma's 91st birthday. I can't believe it has been 3 1/2 weeks already, it feels like a lifetime has passed, yet it feels like it was just yesterday. We normally spend Saturday at my aunt's home visiting, but they are gone already for a short vacation. Without grandma around, there is no reason to go over tomorrow.

I have been doing some knitting.......I started and finished this. It is a variation of the Midwest Moonlight Scarf, out of Scarf Style. I saw it in a store, really liked how they had the sample, so did the same thing. What they did, was to purl the back side, so there is a definite front and back to the scarf. I enjoyed the pattern, it was a very easy 8 row and 8 row repeat. I used SeaSilk. It is a very soft yarn to knit with, definitely a luxury item. I don't remember the color way at all. I got two different skeins to make two scarves. I even have a small ball of it left over from the first scarf after 25 repeats. These scarves will be gifts. I better get moving on the other one. The only thing I don't like about it, having to block it out.







I also learned how to do a little bit of this.........



I was asked at church to be on the flower committee and they will train me to do arrangements for the front of the sanctuary. I had fun, though it can be intimidating. I won't have to ever do it on my own if I don't want to. That's a good thing!! Next Friday night when we have the second class, she is going to show us how to do a Christmas arrangement with flowers.

I finished my two quilt blocks that were due for October, what a bad quilter I am. Fortunately my swap partner was understanding about it. I need to do the next two now. I think they will go faster as I have the patterns chosen. I can't show a picture yet of the ones I finished. Next week, after Leeanne gets them in the mail.

This weekend is for relaxing and knitting. They are saying we might have some snow Sunday through Tuesday. If it happens, it won't be much, and it won't last for long. It will be nice though. The rain has been horrendous this year. We did have a couple of days of this though this last week.