Praying
I sit here in my "happy" home with my "happy" son, knowing my husband is at work... And yet there are those that are sitting devastated at home right now... 2 different occasions of stabbings today! One in a Pennsylvania, USA high school and one in a Toronto, Canada office building! So far no casualties, but several in critical condition... Then, in trying to find out more information I learn there was a shooting that resulted in a casualty at the Marine Base where my brother is stationed (he's fine)... My heart is breaking for these families... Not only for the victims but for the suspects as well... All that I can say is that I'm praying and ask that you join me!
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. James 5:13 NIV
Tutorial for 6" Open Cross Square
I love Aurora Suominen's Open Cross Square and constantly send people to it, especially if they are new to crochet... I've had a few people ask me for a written version (no abbreviations, full explanation)... So I thought I would add it here...
Open Cross Square:
Chain 4 and join to form a ring
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| Round 1 and 2 |
Round 1. Chain 3 (counts as the first double crochet), the make 15 more double crochet in the ring, join with the 3rd chain of the beginning chain 3
Round 2. Chain 3, Double crochet in same stitch, stitch **chain 3 and skip the next stitch, single crochet in the next stitch, chain 3 and skip the next stitch, 2 double crochet in next stitch** repeat inside the ** 3 more times, ending with the second chain 3, slip stitch to top of beginning chain 3.
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| Round 3 before joining |
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| Round 4 and 5 |
Round 4: Chain 3, double crochet in next, **(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) all in chain 1 space, double crochet in next 2, Chain 3, Single crochet in next single crochet, Chain 3, double crochet in next 2** Repeat inside the ** 3 times ending on second chain 3 and join with slip stitch to top chain of beginning chain 3.
Round 5: Chain 3, double crochet in next 3 double crochet, **(2 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet) all in chain 2 space, double crochet in next 4 double crochet, Chain 3, single crochet in next single crochet, Chain 3, double crochet in crochet next 4 double crochet** Repeat 3 times inside the ** ending with second chain 3 and join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain 3.
Round 6: chain 1, **single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in corner, single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in chain 3, single crochet in next single crochet, single crochet in next chain 3** Repeat 3 times in the ** and join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.
The written instrutions kind of pull in at the chain 3 parts, so I modify it a bit (which does make it a little more complicated... Here is a picture of both methods and I will write my way second, so you can ignore it if you want...
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| Left: as written using single crochet only Right: using my modifications that include single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet |
Modified Round 6. Chain 1, **single crochet in next 6 double crochet, 3 single crochet in corner, single crochet in next 6 double crochet, (2 single crochet, 1 half double crochet) in chain 3, double crochet in next single crochet, (1 half double crochet, 2 single crochet) in next chain 3** Repeat 3 times in the ** and join with a slip stitch to first single crochet.
Half Double Crochet explanation: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops at once.
Knit, crochet and life
So what do I have going on almost half way through the first month of the year?
There isn't much going in life... Getting some laughs with my family (O usually has us in stitches), trying to keep my blood pressure regulated as much as I can (don't seem to be doing so well with that) and keeping on... I'm loving the 3 crockpot system I got for Christmas, I can make 3 nights of food at once and freeze them in proportions for one meal! Seems to be the perfect answer for when I need an easy meal, but don't want to sacrifice the nutrition (or have frozen pizza too often)...
I have been doing great at keeping up with my daily bible reading, and that makes me ecstatic! The devotional is behind some times but it's easy to get back on track and I do, so that is great...
On the hooks: I've made 3 dishcloths this month... I just finished an owl bonnet pattern test (although I need to disassemble it and resemble it)... I'm starting a dragonfly pattern test for the same designer...
I need to get a pattern tested wrote and posted (free scarf pattern) and I need to get another one that has been tested up (shawl pattern to sell)... Have a dishcloth pattern that I will need to write and possibly test by Aug...
On the needles: I have made a knit dishcloth (plus I learned some basic cable knitting by making a dishcloth at the end of last month), and working on a couple more... One is a mystery knit a long that will take the whole month, it seems like fun... It's hosted by The Domestic Dash, here is this month's "Riddle Me This" dishcloth...
I still have my personal shawl that I'm trying to finish, but it is my filler project and right now I have too many other things... I also want to design a knit dishcloth that will need finished and tested by Aug if I can (this will be a little harder as I am still learning almost everything about knitting)
As new things progress I'll share :-)
I want to share my bible verse for the year with you... It is a great reminder to hear often :-)
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with what you have. For He Himself has said "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
New Year again
Yep, it's another year and yep I didn't keep up like I planned again last year!
Ah well, I said I'd write when I wanted and no more hehe...
In my home/family
I am reading the bible in a year, actually started on the first this year and plan to post every Sun on my progress to give myself accountability... I also started a one year devotional by Joyce Meyer...
I'll continue to sing in the praise team when I can, and try to be more diligent in realizing when I can't (instead of passing out on stage), when possible...
This year I'll be getting things ready to start O in Kindergarten... He is so smart, but there are some "requirements" that he still needs to learn...
Greg and I just celebrated 6 years of marriage! And we've been together for 13 1/2 years... Wow, that is almost half my age! Looking forward to many more!!!
In my crafting
I hope to start and use an etsy shop... And I'd like to do more designing... I want to continue to improve my knitting skills... Other than those broad goals, I'm not setting any specific ones for my crafts... Less stress and more options/flexibility!
Well the last thing I have is my verse for the year
Hebrews 13:5-6 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"
Another pattern I've created
I have created this very textured double thick, reversible hat using only 2 stitches. There are multiple sizes. Toddler (1-3yrs) will work for anyone with a head circumference around 16-17”. Child (4-10yrs) will work for anyone with a head circumference around 18-19”. Adult Female will work for anyone with a head circumference around 19-20”. and Adult Male will work for anyone with a head circumference around 21-22”. It is worked in one continuous “tube”, and it can easily be lengthened or shortened, with instructions on how in the pattern. Although I used Red Heart any worsted weight yarn should work.
Materials needed include 5-6 oz (200-280 yds) worsted weight yarn in 2 colors, H/8/5.00mm hook, blunt-end needle.
Written in US terminology.
Intermediate level: although only 2 sts, 1 is not a “typical” stitch and the pattern can be a little confusing with the increases and decreases.
A very big thank you to my testers: Joanne, Carmen, Cindy, and Shannon!
You can buy it at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/xs-reversible-hat for $3.50
<b>When it snows, she does not fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.</b> <i>Proverbs 31:21</i>
An awesome crock pot breakfast casserole
So I was trying to find a fairly quick and easy crock pot meal as I wanted to leave and knew I had Praise Team practice, but the husband and son would want supper... I searched and found several breakfast casseroles but they used potatoes (afraid hubby would have a texture problem with that) or the reviews weren't very good (one was written on a blog by someone who didn't like the recipe)... So I decided to try my mom's tried and true breakfast casserole, that we make in the oven, in the crock pot... *insert nervous laugh lol* So I did... Then got home and had 15 mins to change, eat, run through with hubby what our son needed and get out the door... Needless to say I forgot a picture and since there is none left with only 2 adults and a 4yr old, I would say it's a hit!
So here is my recipe
1 lb ground sausage
1 box stuffing (we prefer cornbread flavor)
6 eggs
Approx 1 cup milk (honestly I never measure this, just use to thin out the eggs some)
A lot of shredded cheese (we usually use cheddar and you can omit as much of this as you want)
Brown ground sausage in skillet (wished I had some sage to cook into this). Place evenly across bottom of crock pot. Place half of cheese on top (if omitting some, but not all, I would omit this layer). Add the stuffing (straight from the box). Add the rest of the cheese. Whisk together eggs and milk (add salt and pepper if you like) and pour over the entire casserole. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. I don't think I would recommend much over 6 hours, and be warned that the cheese will burn at this length of time (my family loves burnt cheese).
That's it! The longest part was browning the frozen sausage and I was still done in less than 30 mins!
Hope you enjoy, I'll try to get a picture next time... I may also try seeing what veggies I could add to the sausage layer, but I didn't have much on hand...
Proverbs 31:27~ "She's watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness"
Our First Day of School
So today, we started our preschool year when the area schools started... It seemed to go very well... I bought a preschool kit for O for Christmas, plus I have other material to use as supplement... I'm also making a calendar that will portray which 180 days we will have lessons, what I plan to work on with him, and what we accomplish... This should also work as a way to help Greg know where we are in his lessons, which means that he can help out on the days that I can't work with O... So here's to attempting to home school... Wish us luck, pray for us and cheer us on :-)
So are you wondering how the first day went? I think it went rather well... We used the "magna-doodle" and transparencies to practice facing shapes/forms that will come in handy when he learns to print... He can do vertical and angled straight lines fairly well, circles/ovals decently (not necessarily doing the one that he says he'll do), curves like C's and backward C's easily become circles when not tracing and hills and valleys (like n's and u's) also weren't as easy if he wasn't tracing... Considering I've always just let him draw with no direction, I think it was an excellent start!
Now I need to get the office recleaned so I have a good homeschool room...
I learned to knit!
My first ever completed knit project! I made a tablet cover, all in all I don't think it is too bad... So far I can cast-on, knit, purl and bind-off...
Early Mother's Day gift...
Cardmaker? Neat trick...
So my mom posted this on Facebook and wants to share it with others...
"Idea my sister gave me when you give a homemade card don't write on the card write it on post it so they can use the card. let's them send it to someone else."
"I then added it to larger envelope so it could be mailed but if giving in person you can skip this step."
"Idea my sister gave me when you give a homemade card don't write on the card write it on post it so they can use the card. let's them send it to someone else."
"I then added it to larger envelope so it could be mailed but if giving in person you can skip this step."
Please help this mom...
From Garrett's mom on Facebook:
PLEASE HELP US. We are using this a tool for several things for Garrett. We work on his skills for opening things when he opens mail. He also gets to see where it is from on the map. (honestly he doesn't really understand distance as you read further down you will see why) Then we also write thank you notes and he gets to sign them so he is very involved and he get them when he gets up to go to school which has been a very hard adjustment for him this year.
Even if you can't send a keychain then a postcard or letter (which I will read to him) will make his day.
Garrett doesn't get to travel alot. He is special needs and traveling can be a huge under taking.He is equal to about 3 to 6 year old depending on what he is doing.
He is in a wheelchair and is non verbal. But the happiest kid. (except when you mention the "school" word lol)
He loves trains!!!! snow globes and merry go rounds. would be lost without his ipad. it also has a small program that sort of talks for him.
we are working on the USA map we are missing a few states but getting close. Garrett sees the map and everywhere is 5 hours away (yes even New York from Texas) So we have been working on collecting and yes we mean collecting. We love all of them and we will post on here the pics of him getting his mail :) He smiles and loves to open every
envelope. Please try to help.
In all fairness I must say that yes I did start the collection because I love them but because the map is in the room that Garrett goes all the time he loves to look at them and play with them and he loves maps. So it is something we both love.
Our address
Garrett
2222 Viola Dr
League City, TX 77573
this is an update from the above original request:
Yes we are still collecting key chains of any sort. We are just about done with the USA map that we have but please if you want to send us your state or city etc feel free. For we will still put them on the map and video him opening your package. We are working on the world map and just in general key chains.
BUT Garrett loves any mail. Even just cards or notes. It doesn't matter. He loves anything and gets so excited when he sees he has mail. He is getting more than mom and that includes the bills lol.
John 15:12~ "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
New Pattern released!
Well I finally did it! I got the XOXO Cross Blanket Pattern ready for sale and now it is available! You can buy it on Ravelry (you do not have to be a member to buy it)...
A very textured blanket using only 3 stitches. This is available in 2 sizes- Baby and Toddler/Lapghan. There is a “relief” of a Cross in the middle of the blanket, making it perfect witnessing or as a Christening Blanket. The Baby size is approximately 38” long and 26” wide. The Toddler/Lapghan size is approximately 50” long and 38” wide. It is worked bottom to top. Although it is designed with Pound of Love(a worsted weight), it can be done in many yarn weights. Use a finer yarn and a larger hook to get a lacier effect, or a thicker yarn with a comparable hook to get a bulkier look.
A very textured blanket using only 3 stitches. This is available in 2 sizes- Baby and Toddler/Lapghan. There is a “relief” of a Cross in the middle of the blanket, making it perfect witnessing or as a Christening Blanket. The Baby size is approximately 38” long and 26” wide. The Toddler/Lapghan size is approximately 50” long and 38” wide. It is worked bottom to top. Although it is designed with Pound of Love(a worsted weight), it can be done in many yarn weights. Use a finer yarn and a larger hook to get a lacier effect, or a thicker yarn with a comparable hook to get a bulkier look.
Funny face I love you!
A nice Good Friday
So what a nice day today! Hubby let me sleep in and took O out for a while.. When I woke up I had them come back and we decided to go do something as a family... So we went for a hike on a bike trail, while doing some geo-caching... O loves going and it was definitely a family day... Greg got some pictures and I just enjoyed my family... On our way home we were discussing supper and Greg mentioned a new recipe I tried the other day saying that he wouldn't mind it again tonight... So we stopped for a can of refrigerated biscuits... we had to alter the recipe slightly as it was a little too sweet the first time but boy was it good!
So here is my 25 min?meal (as soon as I'm on my computer I'll link to the place I originally got this) Keep in mind I did not make this meal up, I just followed the recipe!
A can of refrigerated biscuits
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Preheat oven to 375°. Brown ground beef. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick spray and place a biscuit in each space, pressing into a cup shape (I only had 8 biscuits so I left 4 spaces empty). Mix barbecue sauce into browned beef. (Because I had original Sweet Baby Ray's and not the Sweet and Spicy that I highly recommend, I added some chili powder to give it a savory and spicy kick). Spoon beef into cups. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove and add cheese on top, finish baking for another 3-5 minutes. (I put the steam-able broccoli into the microwave at this time, when the microwave dings supper is done!)
Now it is off to bed as we have 2 Easter Egg Hunts tomorrow, the Easter Service Sunday followed by 2 Easter Dinners...
So thankful the He died for my sins and that He rose again!!
Our fun "pinking" (painting)
O wanted 2 "pink" Mickey Mouse (aka paint Minnie Mouse)...
On our walk/ caching adventure
Praise the Lord!
So I have to share this story!
Saturday, we decided to head to one of our big cities (about 90 mins away) to do some geocaching and take pictures... We found a series that was dediated to churches and thought it would be fun, called my aunt that got us into caching and we decided we would go in her car... She will drive but if someone else is willing she will gladly let them! I was going to, but the very light flurries was making everything look wavy with my disease, so we decided Greg would drive... We got on the road and was about half way when a car went to pass us on the freeway, we were doing the speed limit and he was doing maybe 5 or so over... He lost control and did a 360 in front of us, hit the guardrail then continued to bounce off the guardrail while doing another 180! after the first spin his tire came bouncing across the road in front of us and went over the rail down into the embankment... Greg was able to use his SMITH training and somehow (I can only guess that it was God) kept us from hitting the guy... We also expected the guy to go over the rail and he didn’t! In fact he had no injuries at all! We stayed there because he was facing the wrong way in a travel lane (it was the shoulder being used for travel because of the construction) and the guys lights weren’t working... So we had our hazards on and Greg kept “pumping the brakes” to show approaching vehicles to get out of the lane... There were several times that we were worried we would be hit, we can only imagine how much worse it would have been if we hadn’t been there to warn other drivers! PRAISE THE LORD for keeping all of us safe!!
Saturday, we decided to head to one of our big cities (about 90 mins away) to do some geocaching and take pictures... We found a series that was dediated to churches and thought it would be fun, called my aunt that got us into caching and we decided we would go in her car... She will drive but if someone else is willing she will gladly let them! I was going to, but the very light flurries was making everything look wavy with my disease, so we decided Greg would drive... We got on the road and was about half way when a car went to pass us on the freeway, we were doing the speed limit and he was doing maybe 5 or so over... He lost control and did a 360 in front of us, hit the guardrail then continued to bounce off the guardrail while doing another 180! after the first spin his tire came bouncing across the road in front of us and went over the rail down into the embankment... Greg was able to use his SMITH training and somehow (I can only guess that it was God) kept us from hitting the guy... We also expected the guy to go over the rail and he didn’t! In fact he had no injuries at all! We stayed there because he was facing the wrong way in a travel lane (it was the shoulder being used for travel because of the construction) and the guys lights weren’t working... So we had our hazards on and Greg kept “pumping the brakes” to show approaching vehicles to get out of the lane... There were several times that we were worried we would be hit, we can only imagine how much worse it would have been if we hadn’t been there to warn other drivers! PRAISE THE LORD for keeping all of us safe!!
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