Until we see you again...

My princess, my clown, my friend, who could outwit us all and keep us guessing even to the very end. You are already missed but never forgotten. Run free with Sampson, HoneyDew until we see you again. September 2003 - February 2015.

Sometimes letting go isn't easy...

...most of the time it is just downright painful. I will admit I am a collector. No not in the hoarder sense or in material things. I think that would be easier. No, I am a collector of people/relationships.

The relationships vary; acquaintances, different degrees of friendship, family, etc. but the point is that once you are in my circle I really do care. I may not call on an hourly, weekly or in some cases, monthly basis; I let the other person set the pace according to their preferences.

I will also admit to a trait that while well meaning, can be detrimental to me as well as another, and that is I hate to see anyone hurting. I have been called Miss Fix-it on more than one occasion. And while I don't offer unsolicited advice, if we are having a conversation (in the true meaning of the word, not the one sided kind) if you are my friend, I may suggest thinking positively, try to give a different outlook or offer an alternative perspective. I do believe that a person can believe themselves into a happy life/set of circumstances, so I guess that makes me an optimist as well.

I also believe in unconditional acceptance. No one is perfect. I accept people for who they are, warts and all (Lord knows I could be a frog princess with all my warts!) I look for the good qualities and talents in people and wish sometimes that I had a mirror, that when a person looked into it, they would see what I see.

I have very recently come to the understanding, that some relationships cannot be saved. A relationship is two sided, just like a conversation is supposed to be. Some people simply do not have the energy/ability to participate in a relationship. Sometimes it takes all a body's energy to get through the day with a healthy outlook. This is not selfishness. It is a survival technique. I understand that for them, hearing about someones happy life can be painful for that person if they are not happy themselves. Even when they have asked "how is so and so doing".

There was a line in a movie once that said "those that loved him, bashed themselves against the rock that was ________". I get it.

Out of friendship and respect for a person, sometimes you just have to honor their wishes, pray for them, keep the door open, a light in the window, wish them well, cherish the memories and let them go...

Just sharing a thought.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day...

at least that is what I have been told. I know what I was hungry for, after the aroma of these beauties have filled my house since yesterday...

So for breakfast; strawberries, whipped cream and a pot of English Breakfast Tea.

Looks yummy doesn't it! Would you like to try some?

Very sweet and juicy!

Sampson: "I would like some!"

Dew: "Are you going to eat it all yourself?"

Me: "Why yes I am!"

BTW, the last time I had shared my breakfast with you,  you might remember this or this. But look who has come out of their shells and decided to be social! Aren't they cute? Still little fluff balls!

As I was finishing my breakfast, my neighbor Kathi Z called and asked if this little guy could come visit and feed the chickens.

As you can see he was thoroughly enjoying himself. Especially when he got to find an egg which he carried back to Grammies for his breakfast! I love that smile!

In other news, today is Knit in Public Day, with events being held all over and in our area at Presque Isle park, Grove City Park, and here in Franklin on the greens of the Library. Hopefully I will have some pictures later to show everyone. 

Of course when I get home, I have to get all those strawberries taken care of too! How are you spending your day? 

A puppy playdate...

HoneyDew and Sampson are two of the most social pups I have ever met. They love to meet people and absolutely love getting together with other dogs.

Last week they were invited over to play with their friends Rex (a mixed breed who has the most beautiful ears and a plume of a tail),

Wolfe (a Yorkie)

and a new friend Lily (a beagle).

While we all had a wonderful time, HoneyDew and I think that Sampson is smitten with Lily because where ever Lily went Sampson was sure to follow:

Treat time...

Did someone say treat? I don't have to get up for it do I?

Of course not Dew, Auntie Birta will bring it to you!

They were in and out of the house all day and finally wore themselves out...

Can you find all the pups?

My apologies for the quality of the pics as five dogs in a house makes for fast moving targets and lots of blurs!

Happy DOT!

Girls Gone Wild....over yarn that is! /AKA 6th Annual Pittsburgh Knit & Crochet Festival

So today was the first time I actually made it to the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival! Let me tell you it was great! Knitters (and crocheters) in my experience are the friendliest people no matter where they come from.

We started out at 9:00AM from Jerri's house were Kathie, Bonnie, Jerri and I met up. After a chai tea latte run from the Summer House, a must have for any successful trip (no matter how many potty breaks we have to take!) we were on our way.

Upon arriving at the festival we immediately ran into one of our mentors from the Kindred Spirits days, Jill Bigelow-Suttell of  B-ewe-tiful Designs who unbeknownst to us was right in the middle of teaching a class as we gaily waved and shouted greetings, she calmly, without missing a beat, waved and smiled as we 'quickly' caught on and red faced, hastily changed direction towards the registration table. Rounding a corner we spotted the first vendor booth manned by another of our knitting mentors Jane Bigelow of Kindred Spirits and B-ewe-tiful Design. After carefully looking around to make sure we didn't make the same mistake twice, there were greetings and hugs all around. It was beginning to look like a Kindred Spirits reunion! And it didn't end there, when we made it to the registration table who do we find but Sue Spencer! Again greetings and hugs all around, whew what fun and the day is just getting started!

Finally we get our coats checked in and we are ready to SHOP!

Into the fray we went and let me tell you the place was packed! Vendors, shoppers, demonstrators, facilitators, books, kneedles, any type of yarn you can imagine, spinners, weavers, buttons, knit pots, stitch markers, patterns galore, a live angora rabbit (sooooo cute!) on and on. It was almost overwhelming...almost!

I think next year I will make a list of which projects I am planning on making, then the list of yarns, texture, weight, and amount of skeins needed. That would be the smart way to do it. But as this was my first trip I think I did ok, next year though, I will do BETTER!

This trip was such a great time because although I started out with 3 friends, we were able to connect with my friend Jean and three of her friends, Mary Ellen, Tristina and Lori. I also ran into another friend from Pittsburgh Truth T. and her friend, so in the process made four more friends! You see how this grows?!

After we were wore out and shopped till we dropped, our shopping was done the eight of us made plans to go to lunch at Olive Garden. I don't know about you but I simply love their soup, salad, and bread sticks 'all you can eat' deal. I had the chicken and gnocci soup...

Oh and DESSERT! I believe someone called mine "death by chocolate" but actually it is a chocolate torte, all I can say is ummmmmmmmmmm, and let me unsnap my jeans!

Decadent!

Ok, now wipe the drool off your mouth as I can't have you getting it on my yarn,and I will show you my new additions to my stash...and I did exercise some restraint ...

First the Black and Gold Yarn and pattern were freebies, because I had a "golden ticket" that I submitted at the Cascade Yarn booth, (I felt abit like Charlie at the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory!), the lavender colored yarn is for someone that is expecting a baby and if she doesn't have a girl it is going into my grandchildren hope chest (and yes I do have one!), the turquoise is "milk yarn", it is actually made from a by product of pasturizing milk! What will they come up with next! The picture below of the hand mitts with the cabling is what I am hoping to create with that particular yarn, wish me luck, as to date I have not done cables! I have taken a brave step or am deluding myself...it remains to be seen...

*The only thing that is not pictured here is the stitch markers that I have gotten for a friend.

But at the end of the day this is what the trip was all about...

Great Friends!

Thank you!

I wanted to just say thank you to all my blogland and facebook friends and family who have posted so many great comments, wishes, and supportive emails. This is one of the great things I love about the online "community"!

I am really enjoying the time and want to make the most of it, and yes of course will post maybe a little more frequently then I have previously, maybe with all the pictures of things getting done!

Thanks again!

Really too many choices...

What a great evening! I came home to find that my DH made spaghetti for us for dinner! Which freed up time so that I could do my yoga stretches that have been helping my lower back and legs. Now I am doing this....

Catching up on some of my favorite blogs when I should be working on this...

Aren't the colors pretty? Just love this sock yarn by Trekking of Germany, so squishy! Out of all the socks I have made, (I've only kept one pair that was my first pair completed and that was three years ago!)I have given them away so this pair is mine, all mine! Or I could be doing some more on this. I have seven other knitting waiting in the wings for their turn...and they keep calling my name. I like to take the socks with me to work on when I go somewhere, the others I do here. I am at the point now that this one is on the way to finishing and I can start the mate on the go.

In any case it is nice to be able to choose and have a little down time to enjoy it!

For all our blogging buddies...

This is from our friends Charlie and Me! Stop by and visit them it you get a chance! I promise it will be an uplifting experience. And as they have done, I am passing it on to all my blogging buddies to please copy and pass on to keep the friendship link going!

Have a great day!