Wow, it's 2013!

No photos available at this time, but we have moved from Delaware back to Virginia.  This time we are near Fredericksburg and really loving it.  We have a new home, new friends, new neighborhood, live near our grands again, live near major airports, live near real shopping centers and are in a "one" story house (with a full finished basement) that we can stay in for many older years.

My knitting has grown exponentially over the past few years, thanks to several really encouraging friends in Delaware.  KCKC knittin group in Dover, DE was the most wonderful group of knitters.  I went to Atlanta with a couple of them to Stitches South and I've attended Maryland Sheep and Wool with another one of my Delaware knitters.  They really expanded my horizons with my knitting.  I've joined a local group at the local wonderful knit shop and hope to continue my knitting adventures.

We now have 3 grandchildren.  The oldest of them is 6 and the other two are twin boy and girl who are almost 2 yrs old.  They are all so wonderful.  Being a grandparent is one of the best things in life, for sure!

I'll try to post more often here and post pictures, too!  Don't know if anyone really follows this blog, but I enjoy it when I maintain it.

Once again, it's about time for me to post!

I cannot believe this is my first post since New Year's day of 2010. I really do follow other blogs and had high hopes of continuing my own. Maybe?

Life as a retired librarian/grandmother is much busier than I had ever imagined. Not only is my one and only granddaughter now 4 years old and still the love of my life, but her mom is now expecting twins!! A boy and a girl! I've been knitting and sewing busily and should have lots to show for my work, soon. I'm also making curtains for their bedroom at my daughter's request. I'll try to get some pics to post soon.

I've been knitting and smocking quite a bit and now have my own Ladybug spinning wheel. I am still new, but really enjoy it.

Travel has been a big part of my life. My husband and I have cruised to the Caribbean twice, to New England and Canada, to Mexican Riviera (just before most cruise ships pulled out of that area), and to the Bahamas. After our first cruise to Alaska several years ago. We fly to San Francisco as often as we can to visit our son and to Las Vegas to visit two brothers of ours. We took a road trip to Montreal and Niagara Falls last fall and had a wonderful time.

I've been volunteering at the local intermediate school library and also helping with their bookfairs. It's tons of fun!

I've acquired a new Kindle for reading, especially when we are traveling and I love it! I now work out at a gym regularly and we are eating much, much better. We've gone 'brown' and really are enjoying good fresh food. We shared a weekly share with a local CSA this summer and had fresh vegs and fruit each week. It was wonderful. We froze quite a bit toward winter, too. We've shared a side of beef, too, with our daughter and it's tasty, to say the least.

Life is busy and good!

Happy New Year, 2010!

Let's hope I can keep this up! I really do want to post here, so this is my resolve. I will try to post here at least once a week for the entire year. Now, keep your fingers crossed. ;-)

Newness!!

I know it's been "forever" since I posted last, but I've been busy and enjoying retirement. The pic here is of our new house. We go to closing on 3 April 09. Don't know when we'll actually move in, but hopefully in about a month. We have tons of work to do on the house we're in to get it ready to sell, but feel we need to move out, first, in order to fix things.

I have been knitting and sewing, but think those things will become less for a while. I have several sock yarns ready for portability, so I won't be without knitting.

Happy New Year 2009

Well...............................Happy New Year! It is my intention to post here on a regular basis, but I cannot promise anything. I just hope this resolution is something I can keep, because it has been 3 months since my last post.

I have been knitting, smocking and jewelry making, but life seems to have gotten in the way of posting here. I hope to post some of the things I have done and tell some tales, happy and sad, about life for us.

In the mean time, here is my first post of the New Year. I toast anyone who reads this and wish all well!!
;-)

D Day in our house

This is the "Hey, Teach" that I made for Helen and it looks really good after washing. I've given it to her and hope it will fit, but she didn't try it on before we left. It's a gorgeous color for her, so I'm really hopeful.

Today is "D" day. Departure for Tom and David to drive to the West Coast. I had a little weepiness, but didn't actually cry, so I'm proud of myself. I'm so proud of Tom and excited for him. I actually told him I'm a little envious, too. I loved my 5 1/2 years on San Francisco. I just wish I could go back. Visiting him will be fun, needless to say!

The other picture here is the "Helena" sweater I knit for Chrissy. I didn't get a picture of the hat I knit to match it, but it is a rolled edge, plain hat and I put a little flower on the top. Just loose petals to make it a little more girly. I've posted both of these sweaters on Ravelry, too, with all the details. I'm Susie. Just plain and simple, Susie. I guess I was early enough in joining Ravelry to get a simple name like that.

I really have my work cut out for myself here at home for the next week. Wish me luck getting all of Tom's stuff picked up and out of our living space. He really did make a mess. In spite of it all we love him tremendously!

;-)

Some work completed, no pics, yet

I finished Helen's sweater in a pretty lilac color and also Chrissy's fall sweater in a burnt orange called terra cotta. They both came out well, but I'm not happy with my binding off. One was too tight and as a result the other was too loose. Oh, well, they're wearable. I hope they fit.

I'll be seeing them this weekend, so we'll find out if they fit!!!

I hope to get pics taken tonight or tomorrow morning so I can post here soon. Maybe next week?

I'm going to try to start posting on my other blog, too. We'll see!!

I've been retired one week and have accomplished a lot. I've worked out 4 days this week. I've finished both sweaters. I've been to see Helen and Chrissy for 3 days. I've had a computer crash and bought a new one. I love this Toshiba laptop!!! My old harddrive is being checked for data retrieval, so cross your fingers for me. I've bought a GPS, as has my husband. We're liking them!! I've received a new knitting book from Amazon to read, but haven't, yet gotten to it. I've loaded many more titles I'd like to read in my Library Thing library. I've done tons of laundry, cooked more, ironed, watched lots of t.v., been out to eat with our son, played with my kitties, and tried to sleep in, but was unsuccessful. Still get up between 630 and 7am. I just wake up then!! Haven't been to the library, yet, but hope to soon. After all, there's a book on hold for me.

;-)

9/11/2008

This is a most memorable day in the life of the country I love, but also in my life. I am one of the most patriotic people I know, so I honor those lost 7 years ago with this flag of our country. This day is also my mother's birthday and she would be 93 years old today. Additionally, today is my last day at work in my third career of 13 years. I'm RETIRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?
In January 1969 I went to work for United Airlines in San Francisco, California. I spent 13 1/2 wonderful years working for them and then stayed home with our two children for another 13 years, creating my cottage industry of English smocking. In 1995 I went to work for Pamunkey Regional Library and eventually returned to college to get my Master's degree in my 50's to become a professional librarian. This is the third 13 year career and it has been, by far, the most inspiring. It is the one job I've had where I've wanted to go to work every day. That says it in a nutshell. I will miss some of the people, but will see many of them when patronizing the library, so it won't be good-bye that I say tonight at the end of my shift. Just, "until we see each other, again." I will use the library continually and may eventually volunteer with the Friends. Who knows?
My plans are to travel, considerably, with my husband, who has been waiting 2 years for me to join him in retirement. Our first grandbaby is a year old and she lives a 4 hour drive away, so that road will get lots of use. As a matter of fact, we're on our way tomorrow for a long weekend.
I have librarything.com loaded with books I want to read. I just hope I have time to actually read most of them. The list it really long!!!
My smocking, knitting and needlepoint are all travel-able, so they will benefit. I need to reduce my stash of all of these things anyway, so it won't be hard to find things to do. David and I love to try new recipes, so cooking will be high on our list.
Our son is moving this month to San Francisco (my old stomping grounds!) so there will be many trips to SFO in our future. We have a cruise to Canada and New England booked for the last week in October already. Can hardly wait!
This blog will improve and become more regular, WHEN I'm near a computer, at least!!
See you soon in blogland!
;-)
Susie

I've been watching the olympics AND knitting

You Are Gymnastics

You are agile, expressive, and precise. You have the drive to practice until you get something perfectly right. And you have the confidence to perform difficult moves when under pressure.

What Olympic Sport Are You?

I agree with this test result for myself!! I really do enjoy the pricision in knitting and English smocking. Hopefully I'll have some knitting to show here soon. I just haven't taken any pictures lately, that's why none to show right now. ;-)

Way too long!!

Warning!!! This may be lengthy. I feel like writing and attempting to explain how long it's been and why.

April was a beautiful month and shortly after my last post we flew to Las Vegas to visit my brother and mother. Mom had broken her hip 6 to 8 weeks earlier and was just about to leave the nursing home to return to the assisted living dementia home where she lived. She seemed pleased to see us and seemed to recognize a familiar face, even if she didn't know who I was. I got to hug her and tell her I loved her for 3 days. It was nice, needless to say.

Eventually she did return to Loyalton, where she lived, and seemed to be doing ok, from what my brother said. In mid-May, she quit eating and was gone in about 5 days. My sister flew out to try to see her on the day she actually died. I felt so awful for her. It took us until mid-July to have her ashes buried with Daddy's at Arlington National Cemetery. It was a hot afternoon, but it went well and didn't rain on us, fortunately. Chrissy was there and was our angel.

I think I'm recovered enough to begin to post again. We've been to Delaware to spend Chrissy's first birthday with her and her mom and dad. I'm working, but am retiring in September. My last day will be Sept. 11th, which is Mom's birthday. Her death was the impetus that helped me decide to retire, so it is only appropriate that I retire then. David and I have booked a cruise to Canada and New England for the last week in October as our beginning celebration. We can hardly wait.

I've not been doing much knitting, but have been working on a needlepoint stocking for Chrissy and several dresses for her in English Smocking. I'll post pictures, etc. soon.

;-)

Long time no see!

This is the final product of my lovely granddaughter, Chrissy, in her smocked dress. She really is this beautiful and this happy, too. I almost cried when my son-in-law sent me the picture on Easter Sunday.

This is the pattern from which I made the next pictures for Chrissy. You can find it here. I have to admit that I copied Alison from the Blue Blog. She had done this in the most beautiful lavendar shade for her daughter and I fell in love with it. This is Knitpicks Shine sport yarn in the plum shade. The first and third pictures following this are truer to the color than the middle one. I had lots of fun knitting this and even followed Alison's advice to use the smaller needles on the yoke areas. I'm in love with the yarn and pattern, obviously. Thanks, Alison!

I just happened to have these kitty buttons. Don't they look sweet?
If I get a picture of Chrissy wearing this, I'll be sure to post it!

My knitting lately has been simple, because my stamina from my January surgery just hasn't returned the way I want. I had to leave for almost a week to go to a Public Library Association conference in Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago and it really exhausted me. Then I was home for a week of work, barely, when my husband and I flew to Las Vegas for 6 days. We spent time seeing my brother, helping him with things from Mom's house, visiting Mom in the nursing home 3 times and we did get some gambling done for fun. I broke even, actually, which is amazing for me. It sure made the trip more fun, though!!!

More smocking

These are pics of the latest outfit I made for Chrissy. It's a size 1 blouse, jumper and panties in blue small checked gingham. I'm hoping it will fit through the summer without the blouse for a sundress, particularly around the 4th of July. I made this as a surprise for Helen and Chris and they loved it! Hopefully I'll get a picture of Chrissy in it, too. Then I may be able to post it here.

I sent her the pale yellow tulip dress for Easter and also found her some lavendar Carter's pieces for playwear for the summer and fall. Onsie top, Skirt with panties in it and a long pair of pants in a lightweight cotton that can be rolled up and buttoned after rolling. Cute!

I'm working on my entrelac shawl edging now, so when it's finished and blocked I'll try to get a couple of pics to post. Also hoping to start a jumper dress for Chrissy, knitted, of course!

;-)

I'm back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's been more than 2 months, darn it. But my surgery is over, there's no cancer, and I'm back to work, too. I've gained a lot of insight through all of this, but also got quite a bit of smocking and knitting while I was resting and healing.

Here's the round yolk of a bishop style bubble.


Here's our sweetie pie loving her toes! She's 7 1/2 months old now and still the sweetest baby in the world!
Here's the neck of her round-yoke Easter dress. Aren't the tulips pretty?
And here's a bonnet knit from cotton, to go with the dress. Only problem is it's a little too big.
Last, but not least, here's a new order of yarn from Knitpicks. The gray is for me and the Pink/purple is to knit something for the sweetest girl we know.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

It has been a good day, today! We slept in and got the Christmas tree undecorated. Hopefully we'll get the rest of the Christmas decorations packed and back into the attic this weekend. I will be organizing my knitting projects this weekend, too, so I don't have to pull things out for a month or more, hopefully. I'm having surgery on Monday, the 7th of January and will be in the hospital for a minimum of 3 days, with a minimum of 6 weeks off of work. Hopefully it is just a big fibroid cyst and a hysterectomy, but the doctor is a little concerned that it is growing at my age, so he's said we will know the biopsy results in about a week.

Here are a couple of bibs I made for Chrissy for Christmas and the next picture is a winter hat I knitted for her, too. The only other knitting gift this year was the lilac lace shawl for my sister. Oh, yes, I think I gave her a couple of warshrags, too.
I'm currently working on a needlepoint stocking of family tradition for Chrissy. She will have it next year for Santa to fill up.



If I don't post for a while, please forgive me. I hope I'll be up to posting in a couple of weeks. I really don't know what to expect physically for myself. My gall bladder surgery a few years ago wasn't awful, but it was laproscopic and this surgery isn't. The doctor will have to open me up, so recovery will be much more like a c-section. I've asked my daughter about that and I know I can do it, just don't know what to expect.

Prayers will always be welcome. Wish me luck, too!
;-)

Well...........It's been too long!

These are for Chrissy. Hat and thumbless mittens. She already has them and I've just finished another hat in a dark red that has ear flaps and ties for under the chin. Will be particularly good for the really cold mornings going to daycare.

I'm doing needlepoint mostly right now. Chrissy is getting a needlepoint stocking much like the rest of our family. It will take me the better part of a year, so she has gotten a small one with a promise for next year.

More from today!

This is Chrissy in her Tulip sweater. When I first took a picture of her in it it was quite large on her. Now it fits perfectly. Darn it! It may not last through the winter, as I had hoped!

Well.........Thanksgiving is over!

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted and I have loads of pictures to post finally, so beware! I've been sewing, cooking, knitting and even doing a bit of needlepoint (pics later).

This is the 4th and 5th pictures. I finished Chrissy's Christmas outfits. The first one is her Christmas dress in a pretty plaid with Christmas Trees smocked in a drop yoke style dress. It is long-sleeved, with a 4 1/2 inch hem. Size 12mo/1yr. She's grown so quickly, we are hoping this is the right size for Christmas. Here are a couple of pictures of it.

These are pictures 2 and 3. The next thing I made and finished is a cute coverall out of the nicest finewale cordoroy with the baby cardinals done in English smocking, too. This might even fit her next fall, if we're lucky. I made the straps long, the legs are long anyway (size 12mo/1yr) and I put gripper snaps inside the inside leg seams. I'm feeling pretty good about this, too.

The First Picture is a jumpsuit. I had made her a cute jumpsuit before birth with pretty rocking horses on the front and she wore it on Wednesday. We had wonderfully warm weather that day, so she was quite comfortable in the short sleeves. Take a look!

The proof!

This is Chrissy wearing one of the sweaters I have knit for her. It really did look nice on her, too! She loves to sit on her Daddy like this.



Athough you cannot see it very well, this sweater is one that my mother knit for my daughter, Chrissy's mom, so she actually has a sweater from her Greatgrandmother. My daughter, son-in-law, and I really think this is wonderful. It has a little grow room, so it should fit her through the winter. At least we hope so. At the rate she is growing, noone knows!!

I have been sewing and knitting, just not posting. I hope to rectify that soon, but don't hold me to a promise, please. I'm smocking two things for Chrissy for Christmas, knitting for her, my sister, and hopefully Chrissy's mom. I'll try to post some of my progress soon. ;-)

Whew!

Well.................I've been away and really busy. This doesn't really have any pics or knitting content, but I wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive. I have done some knitting, but nothing to show at the moment. I've finished the lace shawl for my sister for Christmas, but need to block it, still. I've knit her a sticking hat, too, but haven't finished it, quite yet.
We've seen our sweety a week ago and will see her again in two more weeks. I can hardly wait. They are coming here again.
This week I'm going to VLA at the Homestead in the mountains of VA and really looking forward to it. I'll probably be a while in posting again, unfortunately.
;-)

Wonderful weekend

I had the most fun this past weekend babysitting for our 2 month old granddaughter, Chrissy. She is the prettiest and best baby. My DH and I had so much fun! We got to sit for her two nights out of 3 and we couldn't have been happier.

No knitting in this post, I was just too busy to do any over the weekend. I needed to hem some slacks for my mother-in-law, and then take the baby around to meet everyone, since she and her parents live in Delaware.

I'll be on vacation for 10 days in about 4 more days, so I may be lagging in my posts. I will return!!

Going to Las Vegas to have fun! Then to Delaware, (I know you know why!)
;-)