Red Hat Day

I'm working on my Christmas knitting. I was actually making this for my oldest stepdaughter's husband, but after trying it on both my head and Mr.Studley's, I realize it's a tad small for an adult. The pattern called for sz. 8 needles, and I tend to be a loose knitter, so I went with sz. 7's. The last couple of hats I've knit have come out on the small side (and no, I didn't do a guage swatch, shame on me!) . I'm thinking I may no longer be a loose knitter.

My younger stepdaughter has 11 and 12 year old sons, both small for their age. I think it should (hopefully) fit one of them. Of course I knit it long enough for an adult head, but that should be no problem by turning up the brim twice, which I did in the pictures. It will keep the ears extra warm. I really like working with Wool-Ease. It's soft and has just enough wool to add extra warmth. We do get cold weather in this part of the country, but not extremely so. This yarn is a good mix.

Pattern: Basic Hat from Ooh Baby Knits

Size: Adult (Cast on 80 sts)

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight

Needles: Size 7 double pointed (homemade)

Modifications: I worked ribbing for 8 3/4", then stockinette st for 2 1/2". Had I known it was going to be for a boy, I'd have knit the ribbing length according to the pattern.

On a side note, I really like the patterns at Ooh Baby Knits. I was following her blog along when she stopped posting in March of last year. In June, her mom came on with a brief post, stating that her daughter, Michelle (blog's author) was having severe health problems, had just had surgery, and was requiring nursing home care while she recuperated. There have been no posts since that time. I prayed for her every day for several months. I began to wonder if the prayers are still needed. :-( She was a young woman with children, and it grieves my heart to think how her family must have suffered, as well as her. By any chance, does anyone reading this know anything about her? I assure you, I am not asking out of a morbid curiosity.

We are having lovely fall weather here in north Texas. It's still a little warm in the afternoons, but the lower humidity makes being outside a sheer delight. My little Leyna is loving it, too. When Mommy isn't grumpy from being hot and sweaty, Mommy takes her on longer walks, and more of them. I hope you're enjoying your fall!

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.

~Galations 6:1-3 The Message

Things in My House Thursday

I can't remember if this little bank was left over from my own childhood or my son's. That's pretty pathetic, memory-wise, I know, but such is me these days.

Little Mr. Apple bank has entertained a lot of kids, and a few adults, over the years. The photos are pretty explanatory. You place a coin on the little stem. The eye flap lifts up and a smiling faced worm comes out and slides the coin inside the bank. At some point over the years, the plastic piece which snaps on to hold in the money disappeared. Not that we'd likely have left that money untouched. We won't talk about the number of times I slipped into one of the kid's piggy banks when change was needed. ;-)

In case you looked very closely, you may be wondering if this magical little bank makes change. It does not. I used a quarter in the first photograph, but later realized I forgot to photograph the little worm, and used a penny then.

If you'd like to join "Things in My House Thursday's", post pictures on your own blog of things you'd like to share with us, then go to MOMMY SWEET MOM's and sign the Mr. Linky on her today's post.

Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.

~Romans 9,10 (Contemporary English Version)

Pumpkin Head

Newborn Pumpkin Hat

• Hat-Caron's Simply Soft Brites
• Stem-Lion Brand Wool-Ease Heather
• Size 7 double pointed needles
• CO 56 stitches, 1" 1x1 ribbing, St st until decrease, bound off all but 4 sts, which I used for the I-cord stem.
  

From this view, the stem looks rather straight, but it actually curves a little more than it looks like in the picture. This was not my choice of yarn, but it's all I could find locally in orange.

Pro Bono

Pro Bono is a free pattern for a ribbed beanie. I knit this for a fellow in our church who had a birthday. It looks a little long on the wig head, but I tried it on myself and it was a good length, only slightly long, so I'm hoping it will fit his (somewhat larger) head well. It was wonderfully soft and squishy. With the doubled yarn, I think it will keep his head quite warm this winter.

• Pro Bono
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease Green worsted & Plymouth Yarn Encore Natural worsted, held double
• Size 10 1/2 double pointed needles

Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power.~Proverbs 16:32 The Message

Blog Giveaways Galore

Marilyn at A Mixed Bouquet is about to celebrate her one year blogiversary. She's a very good friend of mine. We ran the Homeschooler's Curriculum Swap together for six years (through December of last year). It was challenging and fun, and we forged a strong bond of friendship in the process. Marilyn was the driving force behind me finally getting my own blog up and running. She's been a great prayer partner, too.

Leave a comment on Marilyn's blog between now and midnight (Central time) Monday the 22nd, and you can win a free Ayiesha Woods CD, and she will tuck in a few other goodies in the package.

While we're on the subject of blog giveaways, I'd like to tell you about a couple more.


I just love homemade soap, especially food scented ones. Kay, over at The Rustic Cottage is having a First Day of Fall Giveaway. In honor of her favorite season she's giving away one bar of each of her new Fall scents - Pumpkin Spice and Chai Tea. If you're the lucky winner you'll get two bars of soap! Just leave a comment on her blog between now and Monday the 22nd, link back to her giveaway on your blog and she'll draw for the winner first thing on Tuesday morning. Kay's uplifting posts which share her faith and love of God and family make for a warm and welcoming blog; I'm sure you'll enjoy your visit there.

Thirdly on my list of fall giveaways is happening at a new-to-me blog, Just Another Hang Up. The blogger's name is Suzanne, and she makes the most awesome bags. I kid you not, they are gorgeous. I'd like to buy every one she makes! The "Retro Fall Flowers" bag below is the one she's giving away this month. Her contest will run through midnight, Sunday the 21st.

Visit each of these blogs for their individual contest rules. I hope you win. If not you, then me! ;-)

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Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.

~Ephesians 4:29 Amplified Bible

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...

Outside my Window...the birdbath, which just a few short weeks ago was the most popular bird hangout on the block, sits empty and lonely looking.

I am thinking...I would rather be outside where the air is crisp and the sky is blue, now that Tropical Storm Ike has passed through (it was a Tropical Storm when it reached us).

From the learning rooms...I'm trying to wrap my 50+ brain around a simple computer online job I'm doing for a company, and wishing I still "thought" like I did even five years ago!

I am thankful for....cooler temperatures. I do love fall!

From the kitchen...Chocolate cupcakes, though no dinner plans yet. I guess I can always be like Marie Antoinette, and declare "let them eat cake!".

I am wearing...Khaki capris, a short-sleeved linen shirt, and am barefoot. I'm in the menopause stage of life. All my clothing is geared toward keeping me cool, at least in the physical sense of the word, though not necessarily in the fashion sense. ;-)

I am reading...Spirit, Soul & Body, by Andrew Wommack.

I am hoping...to hear from my daughter soon. I can't remember if she flies out to Dublin tomorrow, or the next day.

I am creating...Christmas gifts with my knitting needles and yarn.

I am hearing...soft music playing from Cora's blog, which I didn't exit out of after reading her Daybook entry.

Around the house...I am getting overwhelmed at the things I need to get done, though I did make a good dent in the laundry this weekend. I'm loving my new homemade liquid laundry soap, especially because I know it's saving me money!

One of my favorite things...is my little dog, Leyna. She follows me around the house, though she doesn't get underfoot. She always has such a sweet and quizzical look on her face, as if to ask "where are we going now, Mamma?".

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...is to mainly concentrate on the small computer job I'm currently doing; and working with my good friend, Marilyn, who is revamping my blog for me. I'm so excited about that! After eight months, I am ready to rearrange the furniture a little. I have zero aptitude for doing such things, but for Marilyn, it's a fun challenge, and she graciously offered to do it for me, even blessing me with the purchase of the graphics she'll use. Trust me, it's not because she's sitting around bored, either. She always has a full plate! I am so blessed by her friendship, and not just because she does stuff for me.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Taken at Beaver's Bend Park in Oklahoma, when we camped there three years ago. It was a beautiful and serene place to be. ~If you'd like to particpate in The Simple Woman's Daybook (each Monday), you can visit The Simple Woman's blog here. To get instructions for particpating, click on The Simple Woman's Daybook icon in her sidebar.
"When you have read the Bible,you will know it is the Word of God,because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your own duty."~Woodrow Wilson

She's Leavin', On a Jet Plane

Don't know when she'll be back again. Oh, babe, I hate to see you go.

One last hug between big brother (better known to our family as Bubba) and little sissy.

A look of surprise on Nikki's face prompted by her Bubba's offer of "an extra $50 in it for you if you order a body cavity search" to the security checkpoint officer.

Nikki's moment of angst while the security officer 'pretended' to be considering the offer. She played along good naturedly.

Nikki's look of triumph when the officer determined "no body cavity search required".

You can't see it very well, but she's wearing a shirt her brother bought her for Christmas. It reads "Homeschool Valedictorian", which she was, in our homeschool! ;-) For anyone who doesn't normally read my blog, the above pictures are of my daughter, Nikki, at DFW Airport last week. She spent three weeks of August with us before going on to visit and say goodbye to other friends and family. She's spending two weeks in Florida with her best friend right now, then she's leaving for England to live there. I'm not as sad as I was the first few days after she left, nor am I as sad as I will likely be when I know she's left Florida for overseas. My little chick just loves to flap her wings. :-)
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward.~Psalm 127:3 NKJV