Books, Dandelions and Wild Violets

"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." Chinese Proverb

Last Saturday Scott, Chelsea, Gabby and I piled into the car and headed for Peoria to shop at our favorite Christian bookstore. Sadly, due to the decline in our economy, this bookstore that has existed for all of my memory, is now closing its doors.

Although it's hard to see it go, we did enjoy a shopping spree we wouldn't have been able to afford without the fabulous discounted prices. Everything in the store was down to 90% off the original price. Can you believe it?!!! All music CD's were either 5o cents or $1.00.

We spent a blissful two hours there where I immersed myself in as many books as possible before they either threw us out or Scott dragged me to the car.

I am of the same mind as the late Groucho Marx who said, "I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book."

Remember ~ I gave birth to and raised a librarian {Hilary}!

Gabby is also an avid book lover already and behaved remarkably well for a two year old with lots of energy spending such a span of time in a bookstore.

We came away with a total of 17 books { 2 of which were childrens books that Miss Gabby chose herself}, 2 CD's, and 9 greeting cards. Our grand total, tax included, BEFORE the discount would have been: $263.50. Never in my life have I been able to spend that amount of money at one time on books!

Grand total we spent AFTER the discount: $25.65 ~ PAID IN CASH!!!

That's the price that ONE of the books I chose would have been without anything else!

So~ here's my stash............... {Oh, the darling oversized teacup with flowers was a gift from Hilary.}

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book."

Author Unknown

Here's a picture of Phoebe enjoying her story time courtesy of Gabby in the kitchen floor. Notice she's "reading" from a Webster's book of quotations ~ NOT one of her new books! But I don't think Phoebe minded the lack of pretty pictures too much.

After story time, Gabby escaped {and I mean literally~ I have to keep the back storm door locked all of the time} to the backyard for her other favorite pastime of flower picking.

We should all be like little children ~escaping out the back door to laugh and dance in the sunshine and green grass amidst the dandelions and wild violets!

And remembering to settle into the life of a good book as often as possible.

Where Has April Gone?

I cannot believe April is nearly over with and I haven't done any blogging since the first few days of the month!!! It's been a whirlwind of a time around here lately. Gabby turned two on April 5th, then she got a new "big girl bed", and then there was Easter!

So... I do have a few selected pictures to show you.

This first one is of a Grammy and BaPa who couldn't be more in love with this little one {and each other as far as that goes!!!:)}

We, of course, had a birthday bash with all the family here. Gabby got a new bike from Pappy {that's my dad} and some sunglasses that she loves to wear indoors and out!

I had to include this picture of my youngest nephew, Brendan, so you would all think Jimmy Hendricks is still alive and well! { I mean ... why not?... if Elvis is still alive, why not Jimmy?} He's wearing Gabby's glasses and Chelsea's belt.

Also, just so you know all of the household dogs are still naughty as ever, this is a picture of Sophie scavenging for any cake crumbs on the table after I had cleared it and wiped it off. She may be a dog, but she still has the female sugar loving gene!

Gabby is now sleeping in her "big girl" bed upstairs where it belongs. When my dad first brought it over in his truck though, we parked it in the front room where she jumped right in and started dictating which movie she wanted put in the DVD player! We knew we better get that sucker upstairs before this became her version of a "man in a recliner with a couple of remotes"!!!

My dad always hides Easter eggs in my backyard for all the grandkids {YES~ my grown up daughters still run around searching frantically, giggling all the while, in hunt of their specific color of eggs!} After they were done Gabby had her own hunt {with a little help from Mommy and Aunt Hilary}.

In the midst of all these other activities, we're still working on the whole potty training thing. Some days are good and then some days .... WELL... let's just say Gabby is OFFICIALLY two years old and lavishly invokes her right to use the word "NO!!!" as often as she deems necessary. {Notice there is no toilet paper on the holder. I have to remove it, and the box of Kleenex from the back of the toilet, every time the princess takes her seat on the throne, or it ALL ends up in the toilet the second I turn my back!}

As for me, LIFE IS GOOD! I'm still knitting and crocheting up a storm {mostly for other people} and teaching my Monday night class at the coffee shop with its mixture of knitters and crocheters, plus a crochet class at my house on Tuesday nights. I love teaching so much that I'm actually getting ready to go through the program to get my teaching certification for both knitting and crocheting.

Oh! I do have to leave you with a couple more pictures so you can see I did manage to whip up something for Gabby over the weekend.

I've missed you all so very much! It feels good to be back again.
Happy knitting, crocheting, tea~sipping, or whatever else you are all into these days!

Though I've been taking a break from my computer lately, you have all been on my mind, in my heart and in my prayers. Thanks to those of you who have e-mailed or called me recently just to make sure I'm still amongst the living! May you all be blessed!

It's Been A Long Doggone Day!

Just have to wrap up today's doggie chronicles~

My mother got back from work around 3:30 this afternoon and after I gave her the full run down of the day, she and Gabby sat on the back steps to watch while I took the three weenies out again {chihuahua still hiding!}. While we were out on this particular excursion, Dougan had a nice, back scratching roll in some major STINK! So ~ you guessed it!!! ~ BATHTIME!

Therefore, about the time I should have been starting supper {yes~ I got my second wind and decided I would go ahead and COOK - no Pizza Hut tonight Kathy! :-) }, my mom and I were starting the bath routine. First Mr. Dougan, then Little Miss Phoebe. I kept Sophie outside and finally hunted down Jose' so he could go out too. I knew if they were in the house when the bath water started I would NEVER find them!

Notice the look of total indignation on Sophie's face. I am totally convinced that they actually prefer to STINK!

Within about a half hour we had four very clean, sweet smelling poochies! Gabby had an absolute ball with the whole process and we've finally had a peaceful evening, as all furry babies are exhausted! Dougan is used to apartment living and this was quite an exhilarating day in his life.

And not only did I actually cook supper, I even baked homemade oatmeal cookies right after we ate. Now the kitchen is all cleaned up, doggies are snoozing away, and Gabby, well... she took a

3 1/2 hour nap this afternoon, so... she's still up and at 'em. But she is cozied up in the recliner with her BaPa and the house is mostly quiet and peaceful...FINALLY!!! :-}

Nightie ~ Night everyone. May you all have sweet dreams until we meet again!

What A Zoo!

My sister, Bridget, and her two boys are in Milwaukee for a few days, so my mother came to spend the night with their dog. Dougan is a standard long haired dachshund and very, very sweet natured. He reminds me of Winnie the Pooh's friend Eeyore. If he could talk I'm sure he'd say, "Thanks for noticing me". He loves me because he is Bridget's baby and our voices are so similar that I think I remind him of her.

Mom had to leave my house at 6:00 this morning for work. Poor Dougan didn't know what to think. I, being NOT a morning person, was still sleeping away when I heard the poor pooch begin to cry and pace back and forth, which made a lovely clicking sound as he introduced his toenails to my hard wood floors!

At 6:05 a.m. Scott and I got up because, of course, our dogs were now stirred up as well. Sophie, my long haired dachshund, wanted out. When I opened the door to chain her up, Dougan made a mad dash, in search of my mom I'm sure. I caught him just in the nick of time and chained him too.

Well, the rest of my day has been quite the adventure!!!

~By 8 a.m. Gabby, who had just been bathed, took off on me, while still naked, and peed a puddle in the front room floor. By the time I discovered it, Dougan had stepped in it and dragged it across the room!

~By 8:30 a.m. Jose', my little chihuahua, was sitting in the basket of dog toys PUKING! His personal specialty. It's his way of saying, "I'm not digging this scene".

~By 9:00 a.m. Dougan was so unnerved he was having diarrhea on my KITCHEN floor!

~By 9:30 a.m. all the weenies were wanting to go out at the same time {the chihuahua was hiding on a pillow behind my bed!}.

Miss Phoebe, having to wait while I struggled to chain the other two up first, promptly wee~wee'd at the top of the steps.

Then, during the course of trying to get Phoebe's collar and leash on her {which she still HATES}, Little Miss Gabby escaped out the back door barefooted. {It's still pretty chilly here.} So... I had quite the time chasing her around the back yard while dragging a resistant puppy around by the neck! These weenies aren't to be trusted though and if I let loose of one of them they will be out in the middle of Main Street {on which I live} lickety split!!!

So...

~ By 10:oo a.m. I was becoming HOMICIDAL and decided it was time for a nice cup of hot tea, which got cold before I could take a single sip due to more clean up on aisle... you name it ~ {Remember, little guy didn't want to join the weenies outside, so while I was having lots of laughs out back, he did his business in the dining room!} The whole episode took place with me in a pair of red flannel pajama pants covered in penguins that were topped off by a purple T-shirt that reads, "Lord give me Peace... Before I go to Pieces!"

Now how appropriate was that?!! My Father~In~Law, who is one of my best buddies in the whole wide world, is also my next door neighbor, therefore he gets a birds eye view on some of my days and, with great understanding and sympathy for me, bought me this T-shirt for Christmas!

Then...

~ By 10:30 a.m. I was nearly SUICIDAL and decided to take a bath, which involved Gabby hanging over the edge of the tub splashing water all over the bathroom. When I got out, my sister phoned from Milwaukee, where she was sauntering along, enjoying a morning shopping trip. She wanted to ask a question about a birthday present for Gabby. Plus, she wondered what I was doing!!!!!!! She didn't realize her doggie was here. After laughing at me she finished with,

"Well, feel free to enjoy my dog while I'm gone!" HA~HA~HA!!!!!

Thankfully, it is now 2:30 in the afternoon and all babies, including a certain little curly haired girl, are peacefully napping.

And all I've got to say is if anyone comes through that door this evening asking, "What's for dinner?", I'm gonna knock 'em out!

Waving Lace Socks

I did it! I actually FINISHED another "on the needles way too long" project!!! YIPPEE!!!!!

These rosewater pink beauties were all done by 5:00 yesterday evening. I don't know about the rest of you sock knitters, but I always have a real sense of deep satisfaction by the time I'm putting that last little bit of Kitchener stitch in the second sock! My family, of course, was forced to OOH & AAH over them. And Chelsea was really tickled pink because this pair is for her.

They were actually supposed to be for me, but when she saw me working on the first one she began to BEG! And, since she was pregnant at the time, I couldn't tell her no. Who can deny a pregnant mommy anything? Especially when they're carrying your first grandbaby!

She waited a long time for these socks and she's a little perturbed because I wouldn't let her wear them yet today. I told her she can take possession of them AFTER I show them to my Monday night knitting students. Tomorrow they're all hers.

I used Panda Wool yarn by Crystal Palace Yarns. It's a bamboo/wool/nylon blend. It's soft and nice to work with and has a subtle sheen. I like the watercolor effect the pink has. I have the same yarn in soft shades of blue to knit another pair for Hilary {eventually!}.

The pattern is from an Interweave Knits magazine from 2 or 3 years ago. I just can't resist lacework! They were slower going than just basic socks ~ but ~ who the heck wants JUST BASIC?!!

I told Miss Chelsea I'd better not see her running around the house with nothing but these socks on {getting them dirty and full of holes!} or stuffing them under her bed! These babies cost me $16.oo to make. Sounds kind of crazy for a pair of socks. But only KIND OF. The experience was worth it and so is she!

Pretty Beads All In A Row

If you ask me:

Danette, Danette, How does your knitting grow?

I will tell you:

With yards and yards of sock yarn and

Pretty beads all in a row!

My mother is thrilled. I FINALLY finished this beaded scarf I promised her some time ago!

It's knit from a 100% wool, hand~painted sock yarn and glistens with approximately 2400 irridescent glass beads. Although the beading adds a little weight to the scarf, it's still comfortable to wear. And the beads give the scarf a lovely drape. They make those vintage looking scallops on the ends hang beautifully.

While this is really an easy pattern {it's actually knit in a garter stitch}, it's slow going on size 4 needles with all the pushing the beads down to get enough yarn to work with, then pulling the beads up to place them where they're needed. But the end result is fabulous!

While I've been a little under the weather, I've concentrated on finishing up some set aside projects. This afternoon, much to Chelsea's delight, I will FINALLY be finishing her pair of Waving Lace socks I started when she was pregnant. Let me remind you ~ Gabby will be 2 years old on April 5th!!! It's about time I finished these socks! I made the first one, then knit about 3 inches of the second sock and shoved them in a bag which has hung in my supply closet {ignored but not forgotten!} for all this time! I'll show a picture of them some time this week. ***Chelsea and I both must thank Claudia from "Mr. Puffy's Knitting Blog" for encouraging me to go ahead and finish these socks!***

I have several things to show everyone. While I was nursing a sick Gabby, and being sick myself, God continued to lift my spirits through all of you. First I recieved the beautiful watercolor painting from Kathy of "Welcome to MiMi's Garden" and then a package full of all kinds of goodies came from Becky of "Holiday in the Sun". I promise a peek at everything before this week is over.

Plus I have recieved several e~mails and lovely comments from many of you and even gained some new followers and friends. God is SO GOOD!!! He knows just what we need when we need it. You all mean so much to me and I'm always so happy {and surprised} when someone is interested in the simple things of my life. I enjoy all of your blogs and encouraging words that touch my daily life. You all continually inspire me and add a whole new facet of joy to my world.

Speaking of my world~ this is what it looked like when we woke up this morning. I remember wondering sometime in the wee hours why I was hearing "garbage trucks" outside. Well, in my dreamy state I didn't realize it was SNOW PLOWS!!! AGAIN!!!!!

HELLO~ DID ANYONE GET THE MEMO???!!!!???!!! IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE SPRING!!!

May you all be blessed today and in the upcoming week, no matter what's going on outside or around you. It's what's inside you ~ in your heart~ that really matters anyway! I pray a blessing on each one of you, that your hearts may truly know the JOY OF THE LORD!

"But the steadfast love of the Lord is

from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

and His righteousness to children's children,

to those who keep His covenant

and remember to do His commandments.

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

And His kingdom rules over all.

Bless the Lord, O you His angels,

you mighty ones who do His word,

obeying the voice of His word!

Bless the Lord, all His host,

His ministers, who do His will!

Bless the Lord, all His works,

in all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul." Psalm 103:17-22

P.S. I am actually posting this on Sunday, March 29. I started it as a draft a few days ago and didn't realize the date would be incorrect when I posted it and not being overly computer savvy~ I don't know how to make it right now!!! Oh, well! Happy Sunday everyone!:0}

Oh~Be~Joyful

Late last night I finished reading a very good book entitled "Mrs. Mike". It was written in 1947 by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. It is a work of fiction and I must confess right here and now, I am a FICTION reader for the most part. Sorry, I'm not too much into self help books. I figure that's what the Bible is for! It's my daily non~fiction read.
Other than that, I like to get lost in a good story. There's enough reality in my life, and the world in general. I need the comfort and pleasure {and sometimes ESCAPE} provided by the magical world of make believe!
Anyway, back to the story at hand.
The journey begins with a 16 year old girl, Katherine Mary {who later becomes "Mrs. Mike" to the Indians}, taking a train from Boston to Canada during the winter of 1907. Most of her life is spent then in the wilderness of Canada. I don't want to give you many details, in hopes those of you who are die hard fiction readers will pick this one up.
What I do want to tell you is that Mrs. Mike, or Kathy, at one point befriends a young Cree Indian girl named Mamanowatum. The English translation for this name is "Oh~Be~Joyful".
How cool is that?!
When Kathy and her husband, Mike, take the young girl into their home, they decide to call her by the English translation of the name. Wouldn't it be just lovely to be referred to as "Oh~Be~Joyful" all the time? It certainly would have to serve as a constant reminder of how we really should be.
At the end of the book it gives a little excerpt of the sequel, "The Search for Joyful":

"Joyful is past happy. Happy is more a quiet content. Joy on the other hand is actively seeking moments when you're high on life, and if those moments aren't there, to make them, to cause them."

Now isn't that something to ponder?

~Here are just a few of my favorite verses on the subject of JOY~

"...but those who plan peace have joy." Proverbs 12:20b
{Hmmm..... we can actually "plan" peace.}

"A joyful heart is good medicine." Proverbs 17:22
{Amen and Amen ... we all know the truth in this one!}

"And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b
{It's the only thing that gets me through real grief.}

"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, AND NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY FROM YOU." John 16:22 {emphasis mine}

This is Jesus preparing the disciples just before the time of the cross.
I include this verse because the part that states "no one will take your joy from you," really speaks to my heart. It tells me that when our joy comes from JESUS, there is NO WAY, NO HOW, that NO ONE can take it away from us!
And to that I say HALLELUJAH!!!
Last week was a difficult one in my household with sickness and some personal things going on concerning my daughter's divorce and some custody issues over Gabby, so the Lords late night reminder to me through this work of fiction, and the constant truths of His Word, were a balm to my weary soul.
One thing I know ~ God is still on the Throne!
Everything that touches our lives must be filtered through His Hands first.
With these absolute, immovable, never changing TRUTHS, how can we not all feel our hearts answer to the name "Oh~Be~Joyful".
In the midst of all things great and small that life throws my way, I will choose God, and I will PLAN peace and I will be rewarded with JOY. ~ The JOY OF JESUS, that is. Because the joy of the Lord IS my strength!

*~*~* May the Joy of the Lord blossom in all your hearts! *~*~*

OH!!! I must tell you all ~ while I was feeling somewhat low and cruddy from a head cold yesterday, a package arrived on my front porch. {Isn't God GOOD for sending that pick me up just when I needed it?!} I was SO EXCITED!!! I LOVE packages!!!! It was the absolutely GORGEOUS watercolor painting of a foxglove and hummingbird that Kathy from "Welcome to Mimi's Garden" made for me when I won her giveaway! As soon as I get a frame for it and give it a place of honor in my home, I will take a picture to show all of you.

Thanks again Kathy ~ I'm just tickled PINK with it!!! :0}