Latest projects

I made these socks for the kids throughout 2010, after Daryn told me he was surprizing us with a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. Sadly, the socks on the end, originally made for Ethan, did not fit him (they are actually modeled by Amber). Left to right: blue for Ian, and on the foot, Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter symbol) and Mickey Mouse heads in relief; green for Evyn, and the sock originally started out as a footie, but I took out the bind-off portion and then added the cuff above and putt extra designs between the Mickey heads; red for Amber, and the Mickey relief heads are in the cuff among the beads; black and red were for Ethan. I have now ripped out the socks so I can reknit them for Ethan so they will fit. I really hope I can get them done by his birthday, but I'm not holding my breath. He understands, but asks that I keep them black and red!
These are going to be a pair of socks for Daryn's birthday. The pattern is Weasley Homestead. I'm a bit further than this now, maybe half way down the foot. I started these socks on the flight out to Florida last week on our vacation. I actually got a wee bit bored working on it on the flight and got bleary-eyed and fell asleep in the process. I didn't work on it much on the way back as the flight was bumpy and I was too nervous. The hours were long for our layover, so I got much of the heel and gusset done at the airport waiting for our delayed flight to take off.

This is Lanthir Lamath, the hooded scarf knit-along (KAL) I'm working on. Anne Kingstone, a Yorkshire native/British designer, made this design from J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. It means "waterfall of echoing voices" in elvish. In the photo I am about finished with part three of the pattern. The KAL lasts until the end of February. It's hard to see it here, but the color is misty lilac heather.

Wee Tiny Sock Ornaments

At the beginning of the year I signed up for the Wee Tiny Sock Club. Each month I get a new pattern, yarn, a stitch marker, and a blocker (if I want it, have to pay for it!). I sign up for a 3 month period ... per season. I started in March this year. From left to right:
Wee Tiny Aran Sock (March)
Wee Tiny Raindrop Sock (April)
Wee Tiny Flower Sock (May)
Wee Tiny Campfire Sock (June)
Wee Tiny Fireworks Sock (July)
Wee Tiny Sunflower Sock (August)
Wee Tiny Sampler Sock (September)
Wee Tiny Halloween Sock (October ... on the end)
Wee Tiny Origami Sock (November ... before Halloween ... oops)
I am currently working on the Wee Tiny Friendship Sock for December.

It's been fun. I really want to get a Wee Tiny Tree to put on our kitchen counter so I can hang my Wee Tiny Socks next year. We shall see.

Family Slide Show on You Tube

Here is another piece Daryn has put together. I think most got a link to it a while ago, but I thought I'd put it here, too, just in case you haven't seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0875rMn74sU

Just copy it and paste it into your browser. It's about 8 minutes long and his first attempt at doing this type of project. It has some great memories for me and I hope you enjoy it, too.

Blast From The Past

Daryn made me a wonderful CD/DVD and this clip is also included. This is my friend, Beth Russnogle (originally from Canada and a music teacher and married to husband Noel, who was a pilot) and me playing the handbells in church in Yokosuka, Japan.

Daryn uploaded it to YouTube in a secure manner so it can't be sought out. You can only find it by copying the link here and pasting it into your browser.

Wish I could remember the name of the piece.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJpMS3Vu6xg

Scouts in Skateland

(A bit reminiscent of the title "Babes in Toyland" ... but it fits this particular event.)

Last night the Cub Scouts had a skating event at the Bremerton Skateland. Upon arrival we found several Boy Scouts had joined us as well. It was a family event, and all were invited. For $1 each, everyone could don a pair of skates and take to the glossy wooden boards.

Not me, I manned the video camera, the 35mm camera, and the scout merit badge book and printouts! I think this will be the place will will return to so the boys can all complete their badge work.

First steps out onto the floor. Amber was trying out the in-line skates passed onto her from her friend Ellie Dawson. Once around the floor and she was off and asking if she could get the other kind.
Daryn borrowed the video camera at one point to get some "B roll" for our "green screen" and future video projects.
Ethan kept to the center most of the time. He was trying to learn just how to go forward without falling. By the end of the evening, he had it down!
The kids are taking a break for a bite to eat. As this was a potluck event, families with last names starting with A through M would bring a fruit or vegetable dish to share (enough for your family plus 2). We brought Broccoli Supreme, and I am happy to report, it was an instant hit. No one else brought a substantial meal. Letters N-Z were supposed to bring a main dish. There wasn't any in sight. There were a couple pies, some cheese and crackers, a plate of cut up oranges, a bag of grapes, and some marshmallow fruit concoction. Needless to say, we came home and fixed a little more to eat!
Daryn is signing that his feet are hurting! I think Vicky would be happy to know, we still retain some of our sign language skills!
Evyn had some trouble with balance. You'd be happy to know, he did NOT fall over at this point. He regained his center and continued on. They were also trying to learn how to skate backwards. They did learn to "shoot the duck" and Ian did get the basics of skating backwards. Lots more to learn and complete before that merit badge is awarded!

Christmas in Washington 2010

This was our house when the fire department brought Santa Claus around on the engine! He pays a visit every year to our neighborhood, and many others, I'm sure. They hand out candy canes to the kids and treats to the dogs.

You can just see Santa between Evyn and Ian (on the right) and they gave a treat to Ethan, who is giving it to Rose.



Our family tradition is opening one gift on Christmas Eve. Years ago I purchased pajamas from the Disney Store and was given six boxes to put the pjs in. We saved the boxes. Each year our special gift goes in these boxes. The kids know that is the only gift they can open. I alternate years in making something and purchasing. This year we purchased. For the most part it's always pjs. One year I made the kids hooded towels and they toddled off (as they were little) and took baths and then went to bed.

Must not forget to give Santa his cookies and milk! All the letters were written and in their respective stockings. Evyn and Ethan sealed their letters with sealing wax and then wouldn't tell what they had asked for!

Before letting the kids down to see, I had to take a photo of all the gifties and stockings. To what should my wondering eyes behold ... but a very large bike in our family room!

Can we come down yet????

And in they come! Dogs barking, kids laughing, and Evyn cheering at the top of his voice, "YES! I GOT MY BIKE!" Who'd have guessed he wanted a bike??

The bike appears to be the perfect fit.

Ethan revealed he had asked for snow and tinsel in his letter for Santa. He got a package of instant snow! And would you believe, the tree had been snowed on as well!

Another family tradition ... the search for the pickle. In our house, the one who finds the pickle gets to hand out the gifts to everyone. It took the kids a very long time this year to find it. Daryn made himself a coffee and sat down to enjoy it while they searched.

Ethan ended up being the lucky one to find the pickle this year and he was ready to hunt out his packages ... oops ... those packages for EVERYONE! lol!

Ethan had a special gift for the girls, too. He had folded an origami box and put in a couple biscuits for them.

Grandma Val and Grandpa John sent sashes for the boys for their scout uniforms. She had also intended on giving them fleece vests with the BSA emblem. However, sadly, the scout shop online no longer carries these vests and the local shop doesn't have anything, either. So, we are currently on the hunt for the proper vests. When they are found, we will contact a lady who works at the local scout shop. She has an embroidery business and can put the fleur de lis on their vests, as well as their names if they desire. We may not go with that idea, but put their names inside.

Auntie Jo sent Ian an old book about the Roman Empire. It will certainly come in very hand in his world history studies this year, and in the years ahead.

Mom sent Daryn a golfing snowman, made from a golf ball! Poor Daryn hasn't had a chance to golf in a very long time. Perhaps we can make arrangements for around Father's Day! (There is a boy scout merit badge for golfing!)

Ethan has donned his Harry Potter quidditch helmet, Evyn the reindeer felted hat, and Amber her "ear flap hat with big balls on the ends" and they are all helping Ian open the gift from Auntie Jo. A book on science experiments. Ian has pronounced he'd like lots of wintergreen mints. Why? To make lightning in his mouth!

Closer inspection by the boys. Need to make sure we can really get into this type of science!

Auntie Jo knows Ethan loves whales and sent him a couple ornaments. They are now hanging on the tree!

Evyn got an owl letter opener from Auntie Jo.

Mom and Dad sent Daryn a couple of nice blue work shirts. Timing was perfect. He needed new shirts!

Jo found this great book for me and I have to be honest, I can't wait to make some of these creatures. Need I say I require a trip to a yarn shop of some type to get the right kind of yarn? Darn! Actually, some of these take a specific type of yarn so the animals have the "real" appearance of being fuzzy. Will have to keep my eyes open for mohair and the like ... when it's on sale!

Amber is wearing the faux Fair Isle hat I gave her. Initially it was intended for me, but my big hair prevents me from wearing it. It fits her perfectly. Auntie Jo sent her a couple old aprons. I believe the note said they used to belong to Grandma Rathbone, so she now has something that once belonged to her Great-Grandma! She likes them and has folded them up and put them in the drawer in the kitchen; at least I hope she has ... it's what I asked her to do!



Daryn is wearing the first Fair Isle hat I made. I took a class with Sheila Joynes and has so much fun. I made this specifically for Daryn and have held onto it for about 10-11 months! It was a good fit. He work it today (12/26) when he was out burning wrapping paper and boxes. It was cold, wet, and windy. His ears stayed warm! He's holding a wonderful gift to the both of us from his mother. It is a cheese plate and knife. The plate is made from a melted bottle!

Grandma Val sent Amber a pair of peppermint socks. They look nice and comfy.

Grandma also sent her this handmade doll. Grandma Val said she got it at the library when they had a sale there. The shirt Amber is wearing is new (blue with butterflies) and she's wearing her socks from Santa (with the bears on the cuffs), and the slippers Evyn bought for her.

These are the wonderful gifts I got this year. The pink Snuggie (as seen on TV!) is from Daryn (he also gave one to Amber). He also gave me a 75-300 mm zoom lens for my camera, and those two CDs ... they are the best gift ever! Our wedding is on one, and the other is the kids through the years. We really need to find some videos, though, he couldn't find anything of Evyn prior to 2 years old! I can't believe I didn't shoot anything of him ... but all things are possible :( The sweatshirts are from Mom and Dad, and the scarf between them is from my friend Laurie (she made it!). The sunflower is a tealight holder from Mom and Dad, as is the Gooseberry Patch cookbook (to round out my collection of those fabulous cookbooks!) There is also a very pretty faux scrimshaw pin with Santa and a snowman in the shape of a heart from my Mom.

This is the pretty sweatshirt. It fit after all. I was thinking it might be too big, but if it was smaller, the sleeves would be too short!

Before dinner I sent Evyn out to give a test ride to his new Santa bike. He loves it! It needs some adjustments, though. The breaks were not working very well.

Christmas dinner with the trimmings. We said our prayer, sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and tucked in. The only non-homemade item on the table (besides the sparking ciders) were the pumpernickel rolls which we got at the commissary a few days before.
FILOC = Food Induced Lack Of Consciousness! Daryn went straight from the table to the sofa and fell asleep for two hours! The rest of us watched a movie.

It was truly a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone for the thoughtful gifts!

For Knitters Everywhere ... 'Twas the Night Before Christmas ...

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all around me
Was unfinished knitting not under the tree.
The stockings weren’t hung by the chimney with care
‘cause the heels and the toes had not a stitch there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
but I had not finished the caps for their heads.
Dad was asleep; he was no help at all,
And the sweater for him was six inches too small.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I put down my needles to see what was the matter.
Away to the window, I flew like a flash,
Tripped over my yarn and fell down with a crash.

The tangle of yarn that lay deep as the snow
Reminded me how much I still had to go.
Out on my lawn, I heard such a noise,
I thought it would wake both dad and the boys.

And though I was tired, my brain was a bit thick,
I knew in a moment, it must be Saint Nick.
But what I heard then left me perplexed-ed,
For not a name I heard was what I had expected

“move, Ashford; move, Lopi; move, Addie and Clover Move, Reynolds;
move, Starmore; move, Fraylic--move over”
“Paton, don’t circle round; stand in line.
Come now, you sheep wool work just fine!
I know this is hard semi, it’s just your first year,
I’d hate to go back to eight tiny reindeer.”

I peered over the sill; what I saw was amazing,
Eight woolly sheep on my lawn all a’grazing.
And then, in a twinkle, I heard at the door
Santa’s feet coming across the porch floor.

I rose from my knees and got back on my feet,
And as I turned round, Saint Nick, I did meet.
He was dressed all in wool from his head to his toe
And his clothes were handknit from above to below.

A bright Fair Isle sweater he wore on his back,
and his toys were all stuffed in an Aran knit sack.
His cap was a wonder of bobbles and lace,
A beautiful frame for his rosy red face.

The scarf round his neck could have stretched for a mile,
And the socks peeking over his boots were Argyle.
The back of his mittens bore an intricate cable,
And suddenly on one I spied a small label.

SC was duplicate stitched on the cuff,
and I asked “Hey Nick, did you knit all this stuff?”
He proudly replied “Ho-ho-ho, yes I did, I learned how to knit when I was a kid.”

He was chubby and plump, a quite well-dressed old man,
And I laughed to myself for I’d thought up a plan,.
I flashed him a grin and jumped up in the air,
And the next thing he knew he was tied to a chair.

He spoke not a word, but looked in his lap
Where I’d laid my needles and yarn for a cap.
He quickly began knitting, first one cap then two;
For the first time I thought I’d really get through.

He put heels on the stockings and toes in some socks
While I sat back drinking Scotch on the rocks!!
So quickly like magic, his needles they flew,
That he was all finished by quarter to two.
He sprang for his sleigh when I let him go free,
And over his shoulder he looked back at me.
And I heard him exclaim as he sailed past the moon
“Next year start your knitting sometime around June!”

Author unknown