My latest knitting projects...

I have been working on this doll for my little neice Maddy for a while now as time and schedule would permit. It was a lot of fun to make and I will, at some point in the future, make another for my grandbaby hope chest. I was really tickled with how well it turned out!

While doing this project I learned some new techniques like the curly q hair, a new style of increase, an interesting way to embroider the eyes, and how to make knees! 

I loved knitting the button nose,

her little toes,

and she even has a little outie belly button!

Not to mentione the outfit of clothes and a matching hat for dolly and Maddy!

I don't think Maddy quite new what to think of her at first. She also did not want to wear her hat (she doesn't like hats but her momma says she has to wear one!) But with encouragement from her big sisters Morgan, Sammy and Amanda, she was soon wearing it with a smile!

Anyone who knows me, knows I always have a pair of socks on the needle. This pair was made while my mom was in surgery, during visiting hours at the hospital, and when Mom and I knitted together during Mom's recovery before I returned to PA.

They were made for my office mate Amy who held down the office while I was away.

As you can see, she has happy feet!

Next up, an overdue high school graduation present for another neice, a pair of socks for my son Tim, and finishing my son & daughter~n~laws afghan. Yes Samantha, I will finish yours first!!!

What do you have on the needles?

Mixed Blessings

As yesterday I was a little under the weather with a stomach virus, I didn't get a chance to post. So I have a couple of blessings to share...

I was blessed with a lazy day and great company on New Years day...

(this one was a sneak camera attack cause the eldest kept laughing or making obscene hand gestures)

The blessing of a furry friend and a spot of sunshine... 

and the ever-changing scenery in NW Pennsylvania with a foot of snow. See the sparkle of the snow and imagine every little snowflake is unique!

Wow, it is 2012 already!

I don't know about you, but it has been a busy 2011 for me!

When I last posted I was in KY helping my mom who had a total knee replacement surgery. I enjoyed my time with Mom (though not the reason for it!), and I am grateful that my employers support and encourage family care. My dear hubby is also very supportive and I wouldn't have been able to go if he wasn't at home holding down the fort, so to speak, taking care of the houndies, cats, chickens, plants, working, cooking, grocery shopping...you get the picture!

While I was away, my middle son Tim has completed his college courses at UNCW and has moved home in between starting his internship in Washington DC mid-January. He graduates in May with his degree in Recreation Therapy. He had a nice surprise waiting for me when I pulled into the driveway at 11PM two days before Christmas. The lighted deer and Christmas tree were in the front yard set up and glowing, attached to the Christmas lights lining the front porch my oldest son, Kerry Lee, had helped me put up during the warm spell right after Thanksgiving. Then when I came into the house I saw that Tim had set up and decorated the Christmas tree, hung the Christmas stockings for everyone including the dogs and cats, and had decorated the rest of the house as well! What a blessing!

Since Christmas I have returned to work for a very brief work week, my sons Kerry Lee and Ben along with my daughter-in-law Elise, came for the New Year holiday as well as my nephew Dan and new niece-n-law's wedding this past Friday evening. Sounds like a lot doesn't it!

2011 was like that.

The whole year long!

I am not complaining, just stating it like it was. 2011 was exhausting for me.

We had job changes, college graduations, the boys coming home and leaving again, we helped two of the boys move ( and one of them moved home twice in between college, job changes and his wedding). We had a death (PJ you are not forgotten), a wedding, a birth, court appearances, a garden, some canning, etc....in short "life"!

I've shared all of that with you to say this, last year I wasn't able to blog very often. I was too busy (or too tired) living life to write about it. So while I don't really have New Year's resolutions, my husband and I took some time last night and today to outline some goals that we would like to work towards.

One of them, for me, is taking time each day to share with you something that has blessed me during the day. I hope to accomplish two things in doing this; the first is that I take time to slow down, to notice, and savour the everyday moments that I take for granted. The second is to inspire you to do the same.

May 2012 be a year that you are blessed!