89 posts from 2007

I had gotten the pattern for the Seraphinais shawl and finally got to doing one. The pattern goes really great once you gethe foundation rows going. After that it is just a matter knowing where to increase and where NOT too.
I went ahead and did mine in red, with a worsted weight yarn. Some of the art walks I do are in the evening, and even in summer it can be a bit cool being close to the ocean. And for the red color-I want to be noticed-LOL

As you can see it does make a great shawl. The pattern photo is a sheet of regular computer paper so you can kind of get an idea of scale here. I still want to make it a tad longer tho. Got to keep my tushy comfortable you know. No cold tushys for this old broad-LOL
I love the way the edges look like they are scalloped, It really does remind one of wings.

When Ig et it finished with the edging and fringe, I will post another photo of it!!

Enjoy

Now, the next gift might have you thinking, "What"!!! Anyway, a while back there was a news clip from Seattle about these really cute T-shirts that spelled out the word SLUT. Now of course who wouldn't want one-LOL So, I think I both e-mailed and called my daughter to see if she could get one. Well, I guess they were a bit harder to get than both of us thought. Teresa asked a friend, both to her, at work and to me on vox. Quornflour is the vox neighbor who came to the rescue. She lived reasonably close and  went down and got a shirt for my daughter to give to me.
I love it. When I don't wear a nightgown, and put on sleep pants, I like to "jazz" up my shirts. After all, I am going to do is go to bed------> :P My husband loves the different shirts I do. LOL

So, thank you Teresa-You done good . . .
               Love you
                       Mom

Goodness, was Christmas wonderful. It's been awhile since I have been able to "do" a Christmas like this.I mean, "lord love a duck, I just went for it this year. Yes, I spent a bit of money, but a lot of my stuff for decorating had been "tucked" away for years. Mostly the outside garlands and such. Hubby really out did himself to make sure I had a great Christmas too. He was just so sweet. Christmas mornings tho, after coffee and the sun finally makes it's way high enough that one doesn't need the headlights, I have a tradition to go to the beach, on Christmas. I've been doing that since the very early 60's, when my mother moved out to California from Chicago. I mean, imagine the people who do vacations at Christmas to visit Newport Beach and Southern Calif. They pay mega bucks to go a view the ocean on Christmas Day. Well, so do I-LOL The Santa Ana winds started blowing that morning about 3:45 am. Being the light sleeper I am, I got up. Cats-one wanted in and the other wanted out! Lowered the umbrella, sat on the stoop had a cig and my coffee. Waiting for dawn. 

  The berms are in place to keep the high tide at bay as the moon was full also. You can see the winds just pushing back at the waves. It was beautiful. Windy and chilly, but beautiful.

Had to get the birds in there. The Newport Beach pier. The surfers were out and other couples were out strolling too. 

 I just had to get this kind of shot. With the moon full, during high tide, the waves are 8-10 feet. We are walking on the other side of the parking lot so we had a buffer from the winds. 

We got home and opened presents. Oh boy, I got several small boxes from Victoria's Secret. Us girls have to have our "Mona Lisa smiles" which mean only our "lovers" know that that means we are wearing something a tad "naughty" under our clothes. LOL Hubby got me not one but 2 robes. Nice and warm. Love em'. A couple of crochet hard bound books and a beading book. A USC lawn chair, and a couple of tops. My daughter got me "Leopard" for my Mac and the top version of Vista for hubby, WOOT. My sons got me the most beautiful soup mugs from "Mud in your eye" pottery.

I got hubby some newer t's and sweatshirts with great things on them. another pair of slippers, geek light, and a planetary watch. 

Hubby also got me a throw in Leopard spots. Oh, I like that-LOL 

The turkey came out just perfect, and we ate in the dinning room. We sat at ether end of the table. That was cute. Felt like being in one of those old movies. We just needed the butler to serve. 

While hubby was doing the dishes, he got a special visitor. One of our hummingbirds took a wrong turn and ended up in the house. Hubby had to catch her before she really hurt herself on the windows. When a hummingbird is "caught", they won't fight or move to much. They can't afford to use up any extra energy. Also, hummingbirds can't walk. They have to perch or fly Now, these are hubby's hands. His hands shake due to innocent tremor. He was so gentle with this bird. And being nervous, he shakes more. But, this tiny bird just laid quietly in his hands. Truly a Christmas gift from heaven. I took the little bird out to one of the feeders and other hummers. Zoom, she was gone . . .   

Spent the rest of the evening watching the first season of Rome. Hubby needed to catch up so we can jump into season 2. and then well, nite nite all. Dreams of sugarplums and wonder  

This is very good and easy to do. If you are having trouble reading it, let me know and I will e-mail it to you.

Merry Christmas everyone . . . . . . . . 

Merry Christmas everyone. May your New Year be filled with all wishes granted, peace, & love.

Hubby and I are getting "another 1st Christmas together". I'm sure every couple out there remembers their first Christmas together! Of really not having much in the way of decorations, or goodies we had at home. Or of being miles away from family and friends. Christmas 2007, for us is our second 1st Christmas together. After we ran away from home in Washington, to come move in with Mother to care for her, we never did get the second 1st after the "kids" left home. This holiday is for just hubby and me. The difference is we had decorations and goodies from almost 38 years of Christmas's. Please enjoy the photos of "our" holiday . . . .
Upon walking in the front door.
Please have a seat and enjoy

We have ornaments for Munch, naughty, nice, Bandit, coke bear, and a few others

All these things are in the living room. I decided NOT to have a T.V. in this room. I just wanted a nice "quiet" room to be able to read, crochet, nap, have company without that stupid electronic box squawking or just glaring that dead glass. The T.V. is in the back room now.

And what proper holiday room wouldn't be complete without a gingerbread castle.















And the "Baby Jesus" and family.







Moving on to the dining room. Table is set, ready to go. I found the red chargers are "Big Lots" for $.89 each. Good deal. I pulled out the good crystal and "silver" ware. We will have dinner by candle light for Christmas. Should be fun. Kind of like in some of those movies where 2 people sit at opposite ends and have to almost shout to talk.

Along with us for dinner the "Vanderbears". Mama and Pop are dresed in their purple velvet, along with one of the twins. The other twin is playing Santa, but his poor red pants are to big and droop as he carries a red bag filled with magical presents.
 Muffy and her friend Hoppy are in the nightshirts, awaiting Christmas eve.

Is that Santa and reindeer I see.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
..................................................................................................................> Is he already on his trip?????????

Ah memories. Bowls and cups, except for the "snoopy" cup, that my paternal grandmother hand painted for the kids when they were small. Teresa's is dated 1971. She was a year old then. so that would make you, hummm let's see. . . . Maybe she will just go ahead and post a comment about her age. (Tho, I know most of you have figured it out already-LOL)

Both of my sons got bowls and Robert got a hand painted cup along with his bowl. Josh only got a bowl. He was upset he didn't get a cup, so when I saw this little Snoopy cup, and it was red, I got the biggest smile you ever saw on a 3 year old. I used to be just so mean Christmas morning. NOTHING, but nothing was opened, including stockings untill after a great breakfast. I would do it all. Scrambled eggs, bacon, sauage, pancakes, oj, toast, with several kinds of jam I had put up special, warm syrup and Ovaltine. They each had to eat at least a good size bite of everything. I would use paper plates and the everyday flatware. Just that way I was sure the candy in the stockings would last most of the day, which it did as they were full from breakfast. LOL Ah those were the days when one could "handle" the children. A lot of Christmas' hubby was out at sea. I tried to make sure the kids always had a great Christmas. Maybe not a lot of toys, but a lot of magic and love.

























We  made oatmeal cookies. I'm not a big raisin fan, so I used dried cranberries instead. I made them bigger this year. Only have to share with hubby-LOL And if you're thinking of using cranberries-go for it. YUMMY!!!! So which are you? Naughty or Nice? I would like to try naughty once, to see what that is like. Anyone tried it with good results?? Let me know-LOL

He and "she" are always watching, even in the kitchen.

                         And like I said, this is our second 1st Christmas together. this kind of naughty can be fun.

This is one ornament I just hang up in the kitchen. This kind of says it all. Well, here is my first Christmas after Mother passed. You would think I would have gotten more Christmas cards, but no. Hubby and I have done our best to make this Christmas the best for both of us. I really enjoyed doing the decorations, even tho my back hurts something fierce. And presents, ok, hubby and I did go a bit overboard. But, hey, with all the volunteering and other charities we've done this year, why not. I sent tons of stuff to Apache, like furniture and clothing. (These people at Apache are so poor, most only have dirt floors, in what passes as places they live. Hubby went with Tom a week ago to Apache to take a huge load of Christmas goodies. I added some ponchos, scarves, toothbrushes, small Christmas stockings and candy to fill those stockings. As I crochet all year, I try to make extras to put in the box for Apache. I filled it this year-LOL Stress crochet is what I call it.
Really haven't heard from any of Mother's friends this holiday. If I thought I was invisable while being a caregiver, I must have been erased from their address books this year. How quickly people forget.  They also forget I have no other family as they are all dead now. Gee, really!  But, I have been told to "move on" with my life. Ok, so I don't want to hear any griping from them ether.
I also have tried to extend a hand of friendship to hubbys sister Sara. I had invited her over to lunch several weeks ago, she couldn't make up her mind. Now, this "tension" between hubbys family and me goes way back to the beginning when hubby and I got married. Right off, hubby's mother didn't like me. And ever since then, she has done her best to trash me to family and friends. Fallout from that is hubby's sister. this woman is highly educated, but has nothing for common sense. She has believed everything her mother told her about me, without finding out things for herself. I even sent her an on-line Christmas card from Jackie Lawson, and she has not picked it up as yet. So, I have tried, but it's hopeless till they decide to come off their little mountains.
They did invite hubby to Christmas dinner. When hubby said he didn't think it would be right for Deb (me) to be alone on Christmas, they didn't even blink.
I'm feeling ok this holiday. This is the first year hubby and I have been able to have "our" Christmas. So, it's kind of like our 1st Christmas together. The kids couldn't visit as the guys have to work the day before till 9pm, and the day after, to start inventory at the market. Scrooge rules at Haggens. Oh well. . .
My daughter visited for Thanksgiving.
I will begin classes the beginning of Feb. YEA!!!!!!! I also have planned for a few shows. So, watch out here I come . . . with nothing to stop me now.

After all the years spent caring for kids, then a parent, I really need to learn about the world again. I would love to make some new friends that I could crochet with, just pal around with, and do all that "girly" stuff. Haven't had anything like that for way to many years now. I also need to learn how to "look" great at this age. Just getting back to make-up again. And clothes, my goodness all the great things out there. Hints and tips would be very welcome.

Well, got to go . . . cookies to bake. . . .  

Hubby is out, viewing and trying to take a few photos of the sky. Should be intresting. I on the other hand tried to get photos of how bright it is right now. Sorry about the shaking, but it is cold for this 1st day of winter. I know, it's colder in other parts, but it's cold for us now.

This one is intresting. I mean I know what does it, but to capture a shot is just fun. I had to hold the camera a bit longer than usual, so sorry for the shaking. Hubby decided to view tonight today. When I know a day or so ahead, I would have set up the tripod. I am just lazy today. But, this is cool anyway.

I took a shot sitting on the ground. Just wanted to see what I would get. One would think it was daylight. And no flash was used. Have to keep that night vision intack.

One just follows the short path back to the house and warmth, real warmth from the furnace. It is so much better in here.
I would say we are fairly green. I have learned to live on very low light, or light in just one room, except for the night light over the kitchen sink and the LED night light in the bathroom. The furnace is set for 62 and I am wearing a sweatshirt. When I want to step out, I put on fingerless gloves and my hat. Chilly . . . .

Well, of course I love this pattern book. Hey, if you're looking for the different and unusual, this is the book. Being self-taught in crochet and most of my beading, I depended on pattern books for not only the patterns, but also for the latest trends that were coming. I also would change patterns to suit what I wanted it to look like. I had found patterns on the web that were "wonderfully" leaning toward the dark side of crochet and beading. Now, finally here is a book that is bringing us out of the closet. Can't wait to do the pattern of a scarf that has "thorns" and roses. Also a pattern from Carol Ventura of a great "buzzard purse" done in tapestry crochet and then felted. Did you know that buzzards were revered in a lot of ancient cultures? Check out Carol's blog to read more on that at, http://www.tapestrycrochet.com/blog/ scroll down to "Anticraft Carrion Bag" blog for photos and history of buzzards (vultures) Don't get me wrong, I have done my share of "baby" blankets, afghans, cutie stuff, etc, but I love when I can just "do". It's sometime hard to describe.

I would love to figure out a look for myself that leans towards "hippy/goth/antisocial/artist/craftsperson, yet not trying to look like I am no younger than my 57 years. Any thoughts?  Just leave a comment on your thoughts.

I was so happy to see this book. I'm sure a lot of us used the website. Again, the patterns are great, a bit more of what see out there in the real world. Just go walking around a college campus and you'll see great clothing, assessories, purses and the like. The patterns in this book, would fit right in.

Also, if anyone out there, who lives in Orange County, Calif would like to start a crochet group in person, let me know. I think it would be such fun to share ideas, techs, etc of crochet.

Ok, I was laying down with the heating pad on my back, channel surfing when I saw this huge tote on HSC. I admit I don't usually watch those channels, but this did catch my eye. This is from the Iman collection. I got the carmel/python. Now this is a huge bag. It is sitting on one of the patio chairs here.
I really needed a new overnight grip as my old one was a "basket" purse.
I've had this basket tote for almost 25 years. It's been everywhere and been thru just about everything. Now, I will retire it for yarn. It is still in good condition, just a bit faded. I  love it as I can just rinse it out, let it dry in the shade and voilla, good as new. It's just that I thought it was time to "move on".

So, here you can see the both of them together. Imagine if I am on the train going up to Seattle. My stuff in the Iman tote, and a crochet project in the basket. Works for me.

But, let me know what you think of my new tote.

Deborah

Bandit here. As you can see my "staff" decided to do a Christmas picture of me. Don't I just look "swell". Ya right. All I wanted to do was curl up on crochet scarf. But, when I did that, out came the dumb little hat and the camera. What is it with humans and this time of year. The staff has been busy, changing the house around. They took away my table in the living room for what I think is a tree, tho it don't smell like one. There are these strange things all over the porch that are white, and blow around when the wind come up. And all those lights out front. Well, that sure makes it easy to see if Kiki, or any other cat tries to come up on my porch. One of the good things are the smells and great treats that are on my dish several times a day. Got some ground chicken. The staff had that too, but different and with plant bits in a half round piece of bread that opens. Well, they seem to like it, I just want good old plain chicken. That's the way it should be eaten-don't ya think.
My staff has been great now that I am "old". I guess in human years, I am over a 100. They got me some small steps as "jumping" up into my outside chair is tough anymore. Forget about going over the wall. Let all those young "toms" fight it out. I got everything I need right here. In fact, one of my staff warms up my blanket in the house with a strange pad. Now that is sooooo nice to be on when I am in a "food coma". I sleep longer with that.

But, there you go-I am the "real" Santa kitty!!!!!

Bandit . . .