Dishcloths and Other Things

Let's hear it for dishcloths! Whenever I need a quick project and some "time off" from my current cross stitch project, a dishcloth is the answer. The pattern for this one was on the yarn label and was fun. A dishcloth is also a perfect place to practice a new stitch like this one. I had no idea what happened when you knit into the stitch below: a nifty pattern. Dick says they're too pretty to use. I guess he and Catherine think alike. Looks who's mighty pleased to have borrowed big brother's uniform. Polished fingernails and all, she can hold her own and will need to being in the middle of two brothers. Speaking of fingernails, do you think there's any hope for my thumb? It got caught in my friend's keyless car door in early December, and the nail finally fell off this week. Maybe I'll have to wear gloves to the weddings?

Today is the last, I think, of David's birthday celebrations. He and some friends are meeting at a pretend playground, whatever that is. As you can see, this threesome has had plenty of fun lately.
You just never know what's going on outside. Friday while I was at my quilt meeting Dick caught this view out our den window. It's not quite as exciting as the giraffes that Catherine's been seeing, but surprising nonetheless, since we do not live in the woods!



Yep! Bambi stopped to take a peek in our window on the way through our neighborhood. You just never know what to expect when you look out our den window!

Two Awards and a MeMe

Yesterday I received the Proximity Award from Cheryl, a blogging friend from Wisconsin.

Here are the guidelines for this award:'This blog invests and believes in the PROXIMITY - nearness in space, time and relationships. These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers' aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!' So, with thanks to Cheryl, I am going to pass this along to the following people in far away places whose blogs I enjoy reading. Even though we're separated by many miles and we've never met face to face, we are blogging friends.
Kathy in Pennsylvania
Kris in Australia
Linda in England
Barbara in Germany and sometimes Sweden

In response to the same post I received the "Spreader of Love" award from Kathy. Thank you so much, Kathy!


As you may remember, she made me a beautiful Christmas pillow, and is herself quite a good "love-spreader!" There are a couple of people I'd like to pass this award on to as they have done special things for me that have brightened my days:
Susan, who introduced me to CQ and blogging
Pat, who shared Snowman Soup with David
Susan, who got me hooked on knitting mitts and loves to make handmade gifts
Cheryl, who lives in my home state

Way back in early December, Pat tagged me with this MeMe. Being a procrastinator at heart, and also deep in last minute holiday projects, I've waited till now to do this little task: 1. Link your blog to the person who tagged you. 2. Mention the rules. 3. Tell six quirky yet not boring, unspectacular details about yourself. 4. Tag five other bloggers by linking your blog to them, and lastly 5. Go to each person's blog and leave a comment for them. So here goes on the details and hopefully you'll not fall asleep reading them:
1. I spent seven summers in the woods as a Girl Scout camp counselor.
2. I love music and used to play the violin and piano; now I sing in our church choir.
3. Volunteering is another thing I enjoy. I was an AmeriCorp volunteer in 1994-95 and used my stipend to earn a UW certificate in Distant Learning Design and Development.
4. In addition to needlework, I am interested in genealogy.
5. I was born in Oklahoma, grew up in Wisconsin, lived in Colorado, and California but have lived here in Washinton state for over 30 years.
6. I LOVE cats.
Since this MeMe has made the rounds, I'm not going to tag anyone. However, if you read this post and are so inspired, you can do it, too. Have fun!

Tagged While Gone!

We have just returned from a 10-day trip to Palo Alto, CA, driving down the coast of Oregon and then back up the California coast. While we were gone, I was tagged by Linda , so I guess I'd better get crackin' and do it:

1.What was I doing 10 years ago?
Vacationing with family in PA after celebrating my mother-in-law’s 90th birthday (Oops, that was 11 years ago. Oh well, it was a really fun celebration!)
Working at Eastside Literacy Council (now part of Hopelink) teaching adults
Singing in our church choir
2.Name 5 things on todays 'to do' list
Tutor (done)
Grocery shop (done)
Catch up on blog reading after our trip (working on)
Look at our trip photos (done)
Finish CQ heart (I will, Kathy, I promise!)
3.Snacks I enjoy
Caffeine free Diet Coke
Chocolate
Chocolate chip or oatmeal raisin cookies
4. Things I would do if I was a millionaire
Pay for our grandchildren’s college educations
Donate to lots of worthy causes
5. Places I have lived
Oklahoma
Wisconsin
Colorado
California
Washington

I'm not tagging anyone because it seems like this one has pretty well made the rounds!

In case you find this totally boring, here's a new photo of Sophia who now has both top teeth!
Our Sweet Pea

Yikes, I'm It!

I just discovered that I've been tagged by Wendy with a game that seems to be making the rounds of cyberspace.

How it works: Scattergories: It's harder than it looks! Erase my answers, enter yours, tag 10 people, post it on your blog, then notify them, including the person who tagged you.

"Use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things.....nothing made up!

Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same first initial.

You cannot use your name for the boy/girl name question"

Ok, let's begin:

What is your name: Judy
Four letter word: jump
Vehicle: Jeep
TV Show: Jericho (Thanks .....Gerry!)
City: Jersey City
Boy's Name: John
Girl's Name: Jill (my older daughter's given name)
Occupation: jester
Something You Wear: jumper
Food: jelly beans (very nutritious!)
Something Found in a Bathroom: jewelry
Reason for Being Late: just dawdling
Something You Shout: Jumping Jehosaphat! (not really, but my mom did)

OK, Who to tag?
Debbie
Susan
Jane
Kathy
Judy
Barbara C.
Linda
Gail
Charlene
Lesa

At 10 names per "round," I wonder what the odds are of being tagged more than once? Sounds like a math problem to me

Tagged by Debbie

Mount Kilauea
Just the other day, I was tagged by my friend Debbie and asked to tell 6 quirky things about myself. So here goes! And I've included a photo that is probably more interesting than the rest of the stuff: We were on the way to church when Mount St. Helens erupted here in WA in 1980; I was born in Tulsa, OK, but spent my growing up years in Wisconsin; after 9th grade, I canoed with some other girls for several days on the Wisconsin River; I met my husband at a Halloween party 44 years ago; my grandfather directed our church choir in WI; I was privileged to sing with our current church choir at a Mass in the Basilicia San Marcos in Venice; my youngest cousin was born 2 days before I left to teach in Colorado and is 22 years younger than I. OK, that's enough trivia!