Good morning! I hope all of you are well and the sun is shining where you are. I know for part of America, there are wildfires and floods. I hope if you reside in those places, you are safe.
I think I might be one of the few Americans that stayed up last night and watched the voting in Scotland. I am pleased that they voted to stay. I read there are promises that are to be carried out and I hope that they happen.
What do you think would happen if some of the states wanted to break away from the United States? Would it ever happen? I'm not sure if I would want to be witness to it happening. I think that there would be much violence and it would become a great hardship on the people that lived there. In a country that has been trying to convert to the metric system since I have been alive, I think that breaking away would never happen.
Changes are happening in our little home. Next Friday will be Laura's last day in public school. We have thought long and hard about it and she will be finishing her high school years online. She hadn't been in public school until grade 7 and while she is getting all A's, the stress it puts on her and the inability to actually concentrate in a room full of talking people is really starting to make her anxiety worse. Off the scales worse. So, once again, she will delve into the home-schooling experience. She is really happy about this and she will be able to take more classes than at her school, which is a very good school.
Not much is planned for us this weekend. I will start making hats and scarves today when my yarn is delivered! I love getting new yarn! It makes me so happy! This is going to be burgundy and gold. Laura and her boyfriend love The Game of Thrones and these are the Lassiter House colours. Hope I got that right. I don't watch it and do get corrected when I get things wrong :)
I am going to leave you with a quote from one of my favourite Mary Englebreit drawings. Seeing that all of Miss Englebreit's drawings are not to be used anywhere else, I will not be able to show it to you. The quote is from Brenda Ueland, who was a journalist, writer and teacher of writing.
If I did not have torn pants, orthopedic shoes, frantic disheveled hair, that is to say, if did not tone down my beauty, people would go mad. Married men would run amuck.
Google the print. Trust me, the picture is totally me :)
Until next time, many lovely days for you, my friends.
Hugs,
Deb
note: that is Lannister House. Knew I had it wrong :)
Friday, September 19, 2014
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Remembering
I didn't know for sure if I wanted to post today. I have such mixed feelings about war and the things that are labeled conflicts. I do not like that word, conflicts. It is just war, plain and simple.
There are many Americans who have never been touched by war. Please, consider yourself lucky if it applies to you. If you have never had a need to worry if your husband, wife, daughter, son or a friend is coming home at night, consider yourself lucky. If you have never stared at a television for hours on end, hoping beyond hope that you catch a glimpse of a loved one to assure yourself they are safe, consider yourself lucky.
When I was married, my husband served in the Army. One always realizes that this might mean your spouse will be called up for a war, but, at the same time, you really never think it will happen to you. My husband never actually left to go to the front lines. He was intelligence, and they fought another way. Except when we lived in Berlin. At the time we lived there, Berlin was a city behind the Iron Curtain. At night, you could hear gun fire, as people tried to escape to the West, to freedom. You saw that big, concrete Wall, the barbed wire, the No Mans' Land with the land mines. It was always there, yet it became something that we overlooked.. Really, what would ever happen to us? We were Americans, helping out, not really at war. Then came the bombing.
The La Belle Disco, on April 5, 1986 was bombed. Three people died and over two hundred others were injured. This was a place that was very popular with the service members. Many of those injured worked with my ex-husband. After that night, war was staring us in the face.
Life changed. We no longer could walk anywhere we wanted, any time we wanted. We were searched going into our houses, searched going into our Commisary and PX. Our children were searched going onto their school bus, at school and tanks and armed soldiers accompanied their buses and guarded their schools.
The morning of the September 11 bombings, started out so peaceful for my family. We were back in America, where it was safe. I was homeschooling two of my daughters at the time and Laura was still a toddler. We never had the television on, but for some reason, that morning I decided to watch the morning news while the girls got dressed. For the rest of the day, I never moved from where I was sitting. The shock of war being on our land was overwhelming. That evening, I invited my neighbors to dinner. That was just one night of many that we all sat around a table. We felt safer in numbers. Candles on our porch and our windows were always on. Our flag always flew. The one thing that I started seeing were the banners in windows. The Gold Star Moms. All these years later, there are still banners in windows. Moms and wives still hoping. Still waiting.
This morning, as I was going through Bloglovin', I came across a post on The Last Word On Nothing. The post is by Christie Aschwanden. Please, go there and read the post. I cried and cried as I read it. She was a child of a service member on active duty at the time of September 11.
Let us not forget those that keep us safe, here on our own soil and those elsewhere in the world. Don't forget for a minute, as that is where we begin to take things for granted.
If you are out today and happen to see a service member in uniform, stop him and thank him for his job. I do it all the time. It can be a very thankless job. A job that people sometimes turn their backs on.
Today, be safe. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you. There may be a time when you will be that wife, mother, sister, brother that is waiting and watching. Hopefully, that will never happen. Pray for peace.
Until next time,
Deb
There are many Americans who have never been touched by war. Please, consider yourself lucky if it applies to you. If you have never had a need to worry if your husband, wife, daughter, son or a friend is coming home at night, consider yourself lucky. If you have never stared at a television for hours on end, hoping beyond hope that you catch a glimpse of a loved one to assure yourself they are safe, consider yourself lucky.
When I was married, my husband served in the Army. One always realizes that this might mean your spouse will be called up for a war, but, at the same time, you really never think it will happen to you. My husband never actually left to go to the front lines. He was intelligence, and they fought another way. Except when we lived in Berlin. At the time we lived there, Berlin was a city behind the Iron Curtain. At night, you could hear gun fire, as people tried to escape to the West, to freedom. You saw that big, concrete Wall, the barbed wire, the No Mans' Land with the land mines. It was always there, yet it became something that we overlooked.. Really, what would ever happen to us? We were Americans, helping out, not really at war. Then came the bombing.
The La Belle Disco, on April 5, 1986 was bombed. Three people died and over two hundred others were injured. This was a place that was very popular with the service members. Many of those injured worked with my ex-husband. After that night, war was staring us in the face.
Life changed. We no longer could walk anywhere we wanted, any time we wanted. We were searched going into our houses, searched going into our Commisary and PX. Our children were searched going onto their school bus, at school and tanks and armed soldiers accompanied their buses and guarded their schools.
The morning of the September 11 bombings, started out so peaceful for my family. We were back in America, where it was safe. I was homeschooling two of my daughters at the time and Laura was still a toddler. We never had the television on, but for some reason, that morning I decided to watch the morning news while the girls got dressed. For the rest of the day, I never moved from where I was sitting. The shock of war being on our land was overwhelming. That evening, I invited my neighbors to dinner. That was just one night of many that we all sat around a table. We felt safer in numbers. Candles on our porch and our windows were always on. Our flag always flew. The one thing that I started seeing were the banners in windows. The Gold Star Moms. All these years later, there are still banners in windows. Moms and wives still hoping. Still waiting.
This morning, as I was going through Bloglovin', I came across a post on The Last Word On Nothing. The post is by Christie Aschwanden. Please, go there and read the post. I cried and cried as I read it. She was a child of a service member on active duty at the time of September 11.
Let us not forget those that keep us safe, here on our own soil and those elsewhere in the world. Don't forget for a minute, as that is where we begin to take things for granted.
If you are out today and happen to see a service member in uniform, stop him and thank him for his job. I do it all the time. It can be a very thankless job. A job that people sometimes turn their backs on.
Today, be safe. Tell your loved ones what they mean to you. There may be a time when you will be that wife, mother, sister, brother that is waiting and watching. Hopefully, that will never happen. Pray for peace.
Until next time,
Deb
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Autumn
Good Morning! I'd like to say that Autumn has begun, but we still have several days of 80 degree temps. Starting Thursday, it looks promising, as the highs will be in the low 60's.
When I was growing up, I lived in El Paso, Texas. It was a desert. It was very common to have temps in the high 90's by April and in the 100's by the end of May. I love that kind of heat! It feels good on the skin and the bones have no aches. We didn't have central air. We had what is known as a swamp cooler. Ours was on our roof and I longed for my Dad to get up there and hook up the water, change the pads( I don't know what they were made of, but they crunched), and turn in on. Not so much because I was hot, but because of the smell. It was wonderful! You could smell the water. It had the smell of Spring, like when it rains or when you cut your grass for the first time in the season. Those smells always bring back the memory of Spring to me.
Summer was always fun for me. I was an only child for my first 9 years, but I was never lonely. I had a dog, which I trained for dog shows, and Summer was when I did more training. I was blessed to have a library around the corner from me and I was always there! I could spend hours there. I became the reader I am because my Dad instilled it in me. I had 2 peach trees in my backyard that my Dad planted for me when I was 4. I couldn't wait for the buds to appear, as it signaled Spring!
Winter really never was around my city. Sure, to us it seemed like Winter, as the temps went down to 40, but it only snowed twice in my 18 years of living there: the day I was born and when I was 12. Both times the snow was gone by noon. I did own a wool hat and gloves, both a present from my Dad and I still have them!
The season that means the most to me is Autumn. I think it is the most beautiful season. The leaves on the trees change to such rich colours. The fields turn the gold colour that signals harvest. The night skies seem to be brighter and the moon...well what can one say about a harvest moon. Nothing smells as good as Autumn. Not only the woods, with their musky, rich scents, but the food. Sure, a summer grill is a smell sensation, but nothing beats an Autumn grill! We have a lot of tail-gating going on here, as we are near Notre Dame. The stadium and parking lots are abundant with sausage, brats and burger smells. At home, there are the soups and stews in the crock-pots and on the back burners. Maple and pumpkin pancakes, muffins and even coffees! Pies seem more the mood of the season and one can never stop eating them!
The other thing I love about Autumn are the colours in the clothes. Sure, you can wear all the shades anytime, but they seem to be more brilliant in the Autumn. Burgundies are are richer, oranges are deeper, greens seem stronger. The Autumn colours seem to blend easier, flowing better. I am always hoping for the cool mornings and evenings. There is nothing I love more than sitting outside, sipping a hot cider or a spiced coffee, feeling that cool air and snuggling up in an over-sized sweater. Who doesn't like watching the steam swirl around your mug of warm goodness? Or your breath making those little puffs when you exhale? Yes, I am so looking forward to the beginning of Autumn!
I must go for now. Laura is home from school today, so I need to make her breakfast. Yesterday was hard on her at school and she had several anxiety episodes, so I've kept her home, hoping it will help calm her down.
I hope your day is going well. Remember that there is always something to be happy about. Sometimes it can be something as small as a smile from a stranger. Maybe you can be that stranger for someone else.
Until next time, stay safe, tell those around you how much you love them, and remember you are never really alone.
Hugs,
Deborah
( sorry this doesn't have any photos, I have my 7 month old grand-daughter and it was all I could do to type)
When I was growing up, I lived in El Paso, Texas. It was a desert. It was very common to have temps in the high 90's by April and in the 100's by the end of May. I love that kind of heat! It feels good on the skin and the bones have no aches. We didn't have central air. We had what is known as a swamp cooler. Ours was on our roof and I longed for my Dad to get up there and hook up the water, change the pads( I don't know what they were made of, but they crunched), and turn in on. Not so much because I was hot, but because of the smell. It was wonderful! You could smell the water. It had the smell of Spring, like when it rains or when you cut your grass for the first time in the season. Those smells always bring back the memory of Spring to me.
Summer was always fun for me. I was an only child for my first 9 years, but I was never lonely. I had a dog, which I trained for dog shows, and Summer was when I did more training. I was blessed to have a library around the corner from me and I was always there! I could spend hours there. I became the reader I am because my Dad instilled it in me. I had 2 peach trees in my backyard that my Dad planted for me when I was 4. I couldn't wait for the buds to appear, as it signaled Spring!
Winter really never was around my city. Sure, to us it seemed like Winter, as the temps went down to 40, but it only snowed twice in my 18 years of living there: the day I was born and when I was 12. Both times the snow was gone by noon. I did own a wool hat and gloves, both a present from my Dad and I still have them!
The season that means the most to me is Autumn. I think it is the most beautiful season. The leaves on the trees change to such rich colours. The fields turn the gold colour that signals harvest. The night skies seem to be brighter and the moon...well what can one say about a harvest moon. Nothing smells as good as Autumn. Not only the woods, with their musky, rich scents, but the food. Sure, a summer grill is a smell sensation, but nothing beats an Autumn grill! We have a lot of tail-gating going on here, as we are near Notre Dame. The stadium and parking lots are abundant with sausage, brats and burger smells. At home, there are the soups and stews in the crock-pots and on the back burners. Maple and pumpkin pancakes, muffins and even coffees! Pies seem more the mood of the season and one can never stop eating them!
The other thing I love about Autumn are the colours in the clothes. Sure, you can wear all the shades anytime, but they seem to be more brilliant in the Autumn. Burgundies are are richer, oranges are deeper, greens seem stronger. The Autumn colours seem to blend easier, flowing better. I am always hoping for the cool mornings and evenings. There is nothing I love more than sitting outside, sipping a hot cider or a spiced coffee, feeling that cool air and snuggling up in an over-sized sweater. Who doesn't like watching the steam swirl around your mug of warm goodness? Or your breath making those little puffs when you exhale? Yes, I am so looking forward to the beginning of Autumn!
I must go for now. Laura is home from school today, so I need to make her breakfast. Yesterday was hard on her at school and she had several anxiety episodes, so I've kept her home, hoping it will help calm her down.
I hope your day is going well. Remember that there is always something to be happy about. Sometimes it can be something as small as a smile from a stranger. Maybe you can be that stranger for someone else.
Until next time, stay safe, tell those around you how much you love them, and remember you are never really alone.
Hugs,
Deborah
( sorry this doesn't have any photos, I have my 7 month old grand-daughter and it was all I could do to type)
Thursday, September 4, 2014
I love mail!
I have always loved receiving mail. It really doesn't matter if it is a letter or parcel, I love it. It makes me think that something special is about to happen. Not that I mind getting an e-mail or a text (when I had a cell phone), but nothing is better than a letter or parcel. It means someone took their time to do something for you. Just an opinion, and I'm old, so that explains that!
In the last ten days I have been a happy camper when I went to my mailbox, as I received not 1, not 2 but 3 lovely surprises! The first was the latest edition of Simply Crochet Magazine. It is filled with wonderful, colourful crochet ideas! A sweater that is just right for Autumn, or Spring, done in a cashmere silk yarn. The tote bag, done in Tunisian crochet, with swans floating around it, will be one that I will start after Christmas. There is a bunting that has ice cream cones worked into it. Adorable for summer! The gift for this month is an owl key ring. I am working that for Laura's birthday. And, as always, an article from Attic 24's Lucy. She shows us amazing mandalas, which are being used for Yarndale 2014. In need of a colour fix? That will do the job!
Next, I received a book/magazine which I had ordered from Simply Crochet, entitled Your Crochet Home. It contains 115 patterns and is another colour fest! Several blankets, a lampshade (which is now on my list of to-dos!), pillows, jar cozies, basket liner. The thing I have been wanting to try is crochet picture frames and hoop art and both are in this! Can't wait to start in on these!
I have saved the best for last. It was a book that I had been waiting for and it also became the first mail I received from New Zealand! What was it, you may be asking? Why it was Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon! This is an adorable book written by Kate Bruning, who writes the Greedy For Colour blog. Let me tell you a little about Kate and Stanley, in case you have not had the pleasure of meeting them.
Next, I received a book/magazine which I had ordered from Simply Crochet, entitled Your Crochet Home. It contains 115 patterns and is another colour fest! Several blankets, a lampshade (which is now on my list of to-dos!), pillows, jar cozies, basket liner. The thing I have been wanting to try is crochet picture frames and hoop art and both are in this! Can't wait to start in on these!
I have saved the best for last. It was a book that I had been waiting for and it also became the first mail I received from New Zealand! What was it, you may be asking? Why it was Stanley and the Hot Air Balloon! This is an adorable book written by Kate Bruning, who writes the Greedy For Colour blog. Let me tell you a little about Kate and Stanley, in case you have not had the pleasure of meeting them.
Kate lives in New Zealand with her husband Jonno and her two sons Archie and Hugo. Kate has a wonderful imagination and is not afraid to use it and to show us how to use ours. She has a love of colour, which you can see through her crochet, and her home. Even the books she reads and blogs about have colourful covers!
Kate not only creates for her family and home, she has been featured in Simply Crochet Magazine several times. Her projects have been on the cover twice (that I know of), and in issue 22 her son, Archie, is featured, talking about children and crochet. Stanley is also featured in the issue. Now on to Stanley!
Who is this Stanley fellow and why is he in a hot air balloon? Well, Stanley is a rabbit who is craving a little adventure. He wants to see new places and meet new people but is unfortunately stuck on the ground. His mother has given Stanley a balloon, for being a good little rabbit, but he wants more. When he has a bit of a fit (really, Stanley is a very good rabbit most of the time), his mother tucks him into bed. This is when the adventures start for Stanley! No more will be revealed about the adventure, as it would be too much of a spoiler, and you really must get this book and read about it yourself!
Now, Kate has wrote this lovely story, but it doesn't end there. She has made a whole world for Stanley! His house is amazing and his mother is a cute mommy rabbit. Kate has made table, chairs, mushrooms, mice, blankets and rugs. She has even designed the hot air balloon! My favourite is the baby nursery! Seriously, you must get this book! It is a work of art! The best thing is that patterns for Stanley and many of the things in the pictures are in the back of the book! Kate also has posted instructions for some of the items on her blog.
Now Kate would be modest about all of this, but she needs not be. She is a master crafter and combined with her wonderful sense of imagination, she does brilliant things! I would like to point out that her husband Jonno and her two sons, Archie and Hugo, helped her create the wonderful world of Stanley. This family truly crafts some amazing things!
All of my family is delighted with this book. My daughter Laura, who is an amazing artist, thought it was wonderful, especially when she found out that Kate and her family made everything you see in the book. My daughter Ashleigh could not believe it either. But I took it to the toughest critic anyone can have: I showed it to my grand-daughter. Now mind you, Little B is only 7 months old, but she thought it was wonderful! I sat her on my lap, and told her who each bunny was, pointed out all the things on the pages. She would look at what I pointed to, then look at me and burble on in her baby talk! When I got to the part when Stanley is in the balloon, she went nuts! Banging on the book, looking up at me, yelling something in baby talk! She really loves this book!
For Christmas, Laura and I are making some of the things in the book for Little B. I'll share the pics when we have finished.
My, this was a long post! I really am trying to post more. I just need to tell life to stop being crazy!
I do hope all of you had an amazing summer! It still is hot here for September, but I'll take it. Although I can't wait for all the leaves to change colour!
Until next time, remember to live life! Get outside, talk to new people, eat new foods, read a new book. Take advantage of all the good things the world has to give. Me, I'm trying a little something new each day!
Have a good week. Remember, there's always tomorrow and it will be a new day to start again!
Many hugs,
Deb
Kate not only creates for her family and home, she has been featured in Simply Crochet Magazine several times. Her projects have been on the cover twice (that I know of), and in issue 22 her son, Archie, is featured, talking about children and crochet. Stanley is also featured in the issue. Now on to Stanley!
Who is this Stanley fellow and why is he in a hot air balloon? Well, Stanley is a rabbit who is craving a little adventure. He wants to see new places and meet new people but is unfortunately stuck on the ground. His mother has given Stanley a balloon, for being a good little rabbit, but he wants more. When he has a bit of a fit (really, Stanley is a very good rabbit most of the time), his mother tucks him into bed. This is when the adventures start for Stanley! No more will be revealed about the adventure, as it would be too much of a spoiler, and you really must get this book and read about it yourself!
Now, Kate has wrote this lovely story, but it doesn't end there. She has made a whole world for Stanley! His house is amazing and his mother is a cute mommy rabbit. Kate has made table, chairs, mushrooms, mice, blankets and rugs. She has even designed the hot air balloon! My favourite is the baby nursery! Seriously, you must get this book! It is a work of art! The best thing is that patterns for Stanley and many of the things in the pictures are in the back of the book! Kate also has posted instructions for some of the items on her blog.
Now Kate would be modest about all of this, but she needs not be. She is a master crafter and combined with her wonderful sense of imagination, she does brilliant things! I would like to point out that her husband Jonno and her two sons, Archie and Hugo, helped her create the wonderful world of Stanley. This family truly crafts some amazing things!
All of my family is delighted with this book. My daughter Laura, who is an amazing artist, thought it was wonderful, especially when she found out that Kate and her family made everything you see in the book. My daughter Ashleigh could not believe it either. But I took it to the toughest critic anyone can have: I showed it to my grand-daughter. Now mind you, Little B is only 7 months old, but she thought it was wonderful! I sat her on my lap, and told her who each bunny was, pointed out all the things on the pages. She would look at what I pointed to, then look at me and burble on in her baby talk! When I got to the part when Stanley is in the balloon, she went nuts! Banging on the book, looking up at me, yelling something in baby talk! She really loves this book!
For Christmas, Laura and I are making some of the things in the book for Little B. I'll share the pics when we have finished.
My, this was a long post! I really am trying to post more. I just need to tell life to stop being crazy!
I do hope all of you had an amazing summer! It still is hot here for September, but I'll take it. Although I can't wait for all the leaves to change colour!
Until next time, remember to live life! Get outside, talk to new people, eat new foods, read a new book. Take advantage of all the good things the world has to give. Me, I'm trying a little something new each day!
Have a good week. Remember, there's always tomorrow and it will be a new day to start again!
Many hugs,
Deb
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