Thankful Sunday

"Riding a Bike" available from Magical Rubbish

Recently my daughter commented that her daughter was six years old, and it was time she learned to ride a bike.  She had been on one a couple of times before, and had the typical wobbly, falling over, type of experience that most kids have.  Today was different.  

She started in the same way, with me holding onto the back of the bike seat, and trotting along beside her as she rode.  When I got tired, I asked my daughter to take over, and that's when it happened.  They started off together, but soon my daughter couldn't keep up and let go of the seat.  

....and my granddaughter kept going!  

She sailed off down the street as if she had been riding a bike for years. 

And that was that!

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

My boss is very generous.  This week, he handpicked, and brought in six bags of apples from his trees for all of us.  He insisted that another co-worker and I take whatever was left at the end of the day. I dropped two bags off at my church, and came home with these for my family.  Today I will make some apple goodies to take into work as a thank you.

Another story - a couple of years ago, when I heard that he and his wife were planning a trip to the Middle East, I asked if they could bring me back a couple of pebbles from Jerusalem.  His wife later told me that she was a bit embarrassed by how he picked up handfuls of stones from every place they visited.  When they returned home, she gave me some small religious artifacts they had purchased.  I thanked them for their thoughtfulness, but  was secretly a little disappointed it wasn't the stones I had asked for.  

I did notice a change in my boss though.  He had been visibly touched by his visit to Jerusalem.  He talked of how they had walked on the same streets Jesus had walked, and how the times of Jesus had became so tangible.  His wife promised me that the stones were forthcoming, but had to be divided and organized.  (I can't imagine what the agents thought as those baggies of stones came through customs, but maybe they see that all the time).

To make a long story short, last week my boss called me into a conference room and presented me with neatly labeled baggies of pebbles from all the places they had visited. He then showed me on a map where they were from, told me the history of each, and the significance of that place.  Our conversation moved to a sharing of our Christian beliefs and thoughts about Jesus Christ.

I am so thankful for his generosity.  What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

I am thankful for a full house of family for the weekend.  Right now, I am enjoying the quiet while everyone else sleeps.  Soon they will be up, and busy with the day's activities.  

It promises to be a beautiful, crisp early autumn day.  I will rejoice and be glad in it.

 What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

There is always so much to be thankful for.  Some week's are harder to narrow down to one thing than others.  This is one of those weeks.  Often it boils down to whether I have a photo on the topic or not.  I have a photo of this one.

The brakes on our 1997 Honda Accord went out this week.  A car stopped suddenly in front of me  making a left hand turn (no turn signal), and I slammed on my brakes.  My brake pedal went to the floor with no response.  Thankfully I was going uphill, and not very fast, so rolled to a stop without hitting anything.  Also (thankfully) I was only blocks from home, and got there safely.  The repair shop said the brake line was broken, and repairs would be $400 or higher (depending on whether they were able to repair it without any problems).

It has been a good car for us, and given us many years of faithful service. We had planned on replacing it soon, and didn't want to sink any more money into it. 

So good-bye old friend....

I've named my new car "Kay"

And hello new friend!

 

It is a brand new Honda Fit.  My husband says it "fits" me.

Thankful Sunday

My daughter, another friend of the family, and I recently discovered a shared enjoyment of knitting, and decided to get together and do just that.  No longer only a grandmother's hobby, today's knitters are often in their twenties and thirties.

These ladies came dressed to knit!

Our first official knit-a-long was last Friday evening.  My daughter is a brand new knitter, so we had fun picking out her yarn and needles and teaching her how to cast on, knit, and purl.  She had picked out a chunky moss stitch cowl pattern for herself, and got right to work making it.

Get this free pattern on ravelry

Since it was at her house, my daughter supplied food and drink (her special veggie salsa dip and homemade quesadillas).  The children had a great time playing together while we knitted and chatted and learned from each other.

We all had such a good time that we decided to do it again next week. There is something so refreshing about spending time doing an activity with people you love.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

We celebrated my husband's birthday this week.

 

I am thankful for another year to celebrate together.

Thankful Sunday

 I am thankful for the internet, today specifically the wealth of free tutorials available.  I didn't learn how to knit from my grandmother, but from books, programs, magazines, and the internet.  

 

A new techniquel learned

Yesterday I started my first sweater.  The pattern is beyond my current knitting skills,  and the first few directions sent me on a search for tutorials for a provisional cast-on, and picking up stitches along an edge.  Both procedures are readily available online. 

 

I especially love the youtube video tutorials that can be played and rewound as many times as needed.

By the end of the day, the first two steps of the project were complete.  More importantly, I had the satisfaction of learning some new skills. 

What are you thankful for today.

Thankful Sunday

We've been on vacation the last few days (arriving home today).

On the way to Cape Cod, my husband was so nice as to take me to WEBS, a huge knitting outlet.

 

 

 

I only had a short time there, as three (non-knitting) family members were with me, but I enjoyed every minute. 

 

 

I had the foresight to order some yarn ahead of time, which the store had all packaged and ready to go.  So I made a quick tour around the main store, and then visited the warehouse where all the sale yarns are housed.

So much fun!

Thankful Sunday

I am thankful for the lovely early autumn days. Still warm enough to hang out by the pool, enjoy our flower garden, breezy enough to keep the mosquitoes away, and long enough to fit in everything we want to do in our day.

I hope that you are enjoying the season.

Thankful Sunday

My son turned 35 years old this week.

I'll admit that I still picture my children this way sometimes.

Happy Birthday Ben!

Thankful Sunday

Up until now, I've done my yarn shopping either online, or at a couple of the local craft stores like AC Moore and Joanne Fabrics.  This week, I made my first visit to a yarn store in my area.

It was a little intimidating when I first walked in the door because 10 - 12 pairs of eyes turned to look at me.  Right in the middle of the shop there is a living room type set up with comfy chairs and tables where needle crafters gather, chat, and work on their projects.  Of course they also have a perfect view of the front door and can check out whoever comes in.

However, the array of yarn drew me in, despite the uncomfortableness of my welcome.  Color and texture called out from both sides of the rather narrow shop. I ventured up and down touching the yarns, looking at patterns and needles, and admiring handiwork displayed on the walls. 

The clerk asked if she could help me find something.  When I explained my goal to buy fingering weight yarn for my first sweater, conversation stopped in the chatty knitting group as they listened in to hear what I would be making.  Just curious I suppose.  Knitters seem to be a friendly group in general.

Here's what I bought.

Heritage Cascade Sock Yarn Merino Wool and Nylon

When I brought my purchase to the register, the clerk asked if I would like them to wind the skein into balls.  Apparently, it is a free service the shop offers to their customers.  Of course I happily agreed.  It will save me a bunch of time doing it by hand.  And my husband will be thankful that he doesn't have to hold the skein while I wind.

Of course, I picked out several other gorgeous yarns before I left to buy the next time I visit.

I can hardly wait to start knitting with my new yarn.

Thankful Sunday

It has been a good week.

Our garden is growing.

We stayed cool in the pool.

I'm over a summer cold.

We've had delightful company staying at our home all weekend.

My husband took me and one of our granddaughters to the local ice cream stand after dinner one night.

Last night, we had a picnic, and watched theater in the park with family and friends.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

It has been a beautiful 4th of July weekend. We couldn't have asked for nicer weather. Our pool was a comfortable 82 degrees. My daughter and I got to do our run/walk (we are doing the Couch to 5K challenge). The BBQ grill was put to good use. We spent time with family. The garden is growing.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

I have a sweet neighbor - June.  She is my walking buddy. 

She has lived in our neighborhood since it was built, and she tells me all about our neighbors, and introduces me to others who have also lived here for years.  We talk about family, God, world events, and what we've been doing since the last time we walked together.  And we laugh.  A lot.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

I am thankful for a goal I reached this week of getting back down to what I weighed in my 20's.

I am also thankful for a baby shower that I attended yesterday.  My friend Tina and I made a scripture quilt for the Mom-to-be.  We had lots of fun, and the food was amazing!

Lastly, I am thankful for a landscaping project my son and I tackled together over the weekend.  He likes gardening as much as I do.  It is fun to spend time together doing something we both enjoy.  We wore ourselves out, but the results were worth it.

So much to be thankful for.  How about you, what are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

She and Mom broke out one of her new toys

Yesterday was my youngest grand's 6th birthday.  She got to choose how we would spend the day.  We went swimming, bowling, out to dinner for a fish fry, and then back home to open gifts and have ice cream.

Today, she has a gymnastics party with her friends. 

I guess I'll have to get used to the idea that she isn't a baby anymore.

Thankful Sunday

I'm thankful for sunny summer days to paint with chalk on the sidewalk, bake cupcakes together, take a walk to the park, and have a nice dinner with my family.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Sunday

I am so thankful for the emergency crews and volunteers that are so quick to respond in disaster situations like the one in Oklahoma.  I am also thankful for the local community of people who pull together to give a helping hand during these times. 

The Oklahoma City Modern Quilt Guild is collecting completed quilts to give to victims and their families of the tornado that devastated Oklahoma this last week. 

Sewing to Rebuild  has joined with Angelyn of Green Style Creations because she lives so close to the town hit worst and therefore can ensure that donated items make it to the local families, shelters, churches, and organizations that need them most. They are offering free patterns for girls and boys clothing items that you can make and send.

Two other local groups that are helping are:

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma

The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, working with the Oklahoma Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, is seeking monetary donations. To donate, visit the regional food bank's website, or give $10 by texting the word FOOD to 32333.

Phone: 1-405-972-1111

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief

This organization says donations will "go straight to help those in need providing tree removal services, laundry services and meals to victims of disasters."

It is requesting monetary donations (It says clothing is NOT needed). For more information, and to donate, visit Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief's website.

You can send checks to: BGCO, Attn: Disaster Relief, 3800 N. May Ave., Oklahoma City, OK., 73112.

The kindness and support of people loving their neighbor as themselves truly shines as a light in a dark day.

Thankful Sunday

My nineteen year old granddaughter began an internship at Thatcher Park this week.  She is studying Environmental Science at college, so this job at the park is right up her alley.

I had the pleasure of driving her to work on her first day.  It was a gorgeous morning.  The air was crisp and clean, there was a gentle breeze, and the sun was shining.

I hope that she has a wonderful summer.

 Meanwhile, my youngest grand went to a friend's birthday party where they had a petting zoo, and got to ride the pony 4 times!

Here she is all dressed up in her Buzz Light Year costume

What are you thankful for today?