Year In Review

Here we go again Year In Review!

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2022:

I finished a hat -- my first FO of 2022!

012022

February 2022:

This is the start of my Temperature Blanket! 

022022

March 2022:

Rusty & I had a great vacation in Puerto Rico and both got what we needed most...

032022

April 2022:

Last time the kids were over, Junah, holding a small container of white chalk, asked me where a chalkboard was... "Why do you have chalk if you don't have a chalkboard?"

042022

May 2022:

I lost my (prescription) sunglasses Sunday/Monday somewhere between here & there!

052022

June 2022:

I've made some progress on my Temperature Blanket since last we met, even though I've barely knit a stitch in a week.

062022

July 2022:

I have experienced the same photo-loading hiccups that Kym recently wrote about in relation to using Typepad as a blogging platform.

072022

August 2022:

Continuing with the (now) near-mindless dishcloth knitting!

082022

September 2022:

I've been working a bit on my Temperature Blanket project again!

092022

October 2022:

An almost 2-week vacation in Scotland involving planes, trains, a car, and ferries -- and it all went off without a hitch!

102022

November 2022:

When the kids were over a few weeks ago, Malina was drawing/writing on the big chalkboard.

112022

December 2022:

Holiday Hoopla is approaching -- Kate arrives this Sunday, and Ann & family arrive a week later!

122022

I say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over! Thankfully, after a couple of "dud" years, I don't have incendiary feelings about it. My family was together again, we traveled, the kids started school and are loving it, 


Year In Review

Here we go again Year In Review!

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

 

January 2021:

I'm afraid I may have misled a few of you with my closing meme on New Year's Eve!

012021

 

February 2021:

Yesterday was the official beginning of The 100 Day Project...

022021

 

March 2021:

It was a long weekend for me, with Monday off this week... that always means a lot to share!

032021

 

April 2021:

Kate will land in the UK a month from today!

042021

 

May 2021:

We celebrated Ginny's 5th birthday yesterday!

052021

 

June 2021:

It's a whirlwind!

062021

 

July 2021:

June was really great, for the most part!

072021

 

August 2021:

My dad died on Saturday night, just a couple weeks shy of his 86th birthday.

082021a
082021a

 

September 2021:

So other than these few words, it's gonna be a Wordless Wednesday!

092021

 

October 2021:

How are we almost a week in already??

102021

 

November 2021:

Lucky 13! Thirteen is also a Fibonacci number, a prime number, a star number, and a happy number (among other things, and thank you very much Wikipedia).

112021

 

December 2021:

I had a few things to keep in mind as I planned our trip to the North Shore -- a weekend with no guests, work/teaching schedules -- but mostly, the opening of Rusty's New Island exhibit at the Trout Museum of Art in Appleton, WI, which he'd been pulling together for months.

122021

 

I know I say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over!

This year, like no other much like the one before: I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THIS YEAR IS OVER!!! BURN! (Again!)

 


Year In Review

Here we go again Year In Review!

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2020:

Everyone seems to be where they want to be, or are on their way, or are making plans.

01-Jan

February 2020:

My new insurance cards came in the mail last week, along with the little booklet of benefits.

02-Feb

March 2020:

It looks like there might be 8 of us (so far) taking the leap!

03-Mar

April 2020:

I can't believe how long it's been since I've done an "Unraveled Wednesday" post!

May 2020:

Well, April flew right on by, didn't it?

05-May

June 2020:

I have purchased books and donated money.

06-Jun

July 2020:

For months, I've had this refrain/response popping into my head on the regular: I'm not doing it right.

07-Jul

August 2020:

This is not a very exciting photo, but Ann sent it last night from Lima!

08-Aug

September 2020:

It is all Ducky a lot of the time (lately)!

09-Sep

October 2020:

I'm worn out.

10-Oct

November 2020:

In which we embark on the TWELFTH year of NaBloPoMo-ing!

11-Nov

December 2020:

[I'm going to learn to bake a cake!] Ha. And not just any cake... Christmas Cake!

12-Dec

Bonus:

2020-bonus-2
2020-bonus-2

In August, Kate & I bought a travel trailer and started renovating & updating. Shortly thereafter, Kate adopted an adorable rescue terrier that she called McGregor. Even in this weird year -- or perhaps because of this weird year -- things/situations sometimes quickly change. Kate learned that the UK was once again accepting visa applications and moving to the UK has been a goal for a long time. After some soul searching and consideration of future wants/needs, along with research into cost/logistics of moving abroad with a dog, and keeping the long-term well-being of McGregor foremost, she decided to return him... where he was quickly adopted again because, OMG, what a sweet & smart dog he is (says someone who is not a dog person)... and hopefully he's found a stable forever home. Meanwhile, Kate has been approved by Arts Council England to apply for the Global Talent Visa, and if all goes as planned, she'll be headed to the UK/Scotland in spring... like March!! (Unless things change, because good god...) I know that someday she'll have a dog again -- when it fits. As will Maddy, who is having to settle for chickens right now due neighborhood/rental rules at their current residence. Heh.

I know I  say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over!

This year, like no other before if: I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THIS YEAR IS OVER!!! BURN!

 


Year In Review!

Here we go again Year In Review!

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2019:

I started & finished 19 items in 2018, with the exception of "Habu for Me" which was started in 2009!

01-January

February 2019:

This has been the state of things all weekend, more or less, and it's currently coloring my mood.

02-February

March 2019:

There seemed to be more contrails and planes in the sky this morning than I've seen in a while!

03-March

April 2019:

We went down the hill to 313 Dodge on Friday night for our local going-out version of Friday Night Snacks.

04-April

May 2019:

We celebrated Ginny's 3rd birthday last Thursday!!

05-May

June 2019:

I arrived home last night and am back at work today.

06-June

July 2019:

[I can hardly believe it's July!] Now's the time that summer feels like it might be slipping away, especially because we've hardly had any summer weather to enjoy... so.much.rain.

07-July

August 2019:

I'm in a slump. Trying hard to dig out...

08-August

Bonus:

08-August opt

September 2019:

This is my fourth In Threes Baby Cardigan!

09-September

October 2019:

The History of the Handkerchief presentation over the weekend was informal, full of anecdotes and factoids (of the factual type), and made most interesting by audience participation -- personal stories and memories -- and the presentation of several examples (including by one attendee who brought a box full)!

10-October

November 2019:

[Hi. I lied!] I will be posting while I'm away because NaBloPoMo, the idea of which has been drifting in & out of my consciousness for the past couple of weeks... and not with dread, so here I am!

11-November

December 2019:

Yikes, this is a crazy month.

12-December

Bonus:

12-December 2

I know I  say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over!

 


Year in Review: 2018

Here we go again Year In Review!

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2018:

That was December.

January2018
February 2018:

Unlike some others, I felt like January flew by.

February2018

March 2018:

Anticipating... A new grandbaby arriving on the scene in something like 23 days!!

March2018

April 2018:

Did you have a good weekend/holiday? We did!

April2018

May 2018:

It was nice to get home on Sunday early enough that I had time to get a few things done (after my nap) and take a walk through the yard.

May2018

June 2018:

[I've lived your worst (travel) nightmare]... so you don't have to!!

June2018

July 2018:

[Scenes from a hot weekend] As in temperature. And humid, too.

July2018

August 2018:

The Wisconsin State Capitol.

August2018

September 2018:

Well, I fell on Saturday afternoon, while carrying Malina across a grassy area in a park, which turned out to be very uneven terrain.

September2018

October 2018:

What big eyes you have...

October

November 2018:

There goes October!

November2018

December 2018:

Ha. So, I've updated the text a bit and replaced and/or added photos to my last two posts, which were originally made from my phone.

December

I know I  say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over!


Year In Review: 2017

Wow. It's that time again!

As I have done sometime in December for quite a few years (since 2006?!): Year In Review.

I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2017:

Another reader in the making. Books, books, books!

01-January

February 2017:

(Dear February,) I don't usually look to you for comfort, inspiration, warmth... or sunshine... but, boy, I sure could use all of that and more right now.

02-February

March 2017:

(Wow. Wow. Wow.) I left Green Bay on Tuesday - Fat Tuesday - bound for New Orleans, with a stop in Chicago. 

03-March

April 2017:

Obviously, sewing buttons on a handknit baby sweater is way more fun than working on taxes.

04-April

May 2017:

In the bizarre, I assisted with some unplanned car buying last week.

05-May

June 2017:

(Dear June,) Yeah, well, I'm glad you're here.

06-June

July 2017:

We bid fare-thee-wells on Tuesday morning, sending Ann & family off to work/school.

07-July

August 2017:

(Unraveled Wednesday) Literally, on Tuesday afternoon.

08-August

September 2017:

We arrived in St. Louis late Saturday morning, and our first stop was for food!

09-September

October 2017:

On Friday night, we bit the bullet and finally ordered a new fridge!

10-October

November 2017:

(KNITTING.) I mentioned the Stillness Collection a little over a month ago; I'd ordered it, and have since received it

11-November

December 2017:

Anticipating... a fun, long(er)(than last time) weekend in St. Louis with Kate! 

12-December

I'm sure I must say it every year: I can't quite believe the year is almost over!


Year in Review: 2016

It's that time again!

As I have done sometime in December for quite a few years: Year In Review. I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

 

January 2016:

In addition to (or, as a set-up for) BEGIN AS YOU MEAN TO GO ON, I spent some time cleaning things up at the end of the year.

January - quilt


February 2016:

I walked to the library on Saturday morning to pick up the latest addition to my Reading list: Mink River.

February - Chicago

 

March 2016:

Way back before Christmas, it was decided that while Rusty was traipsing around the west coast, we'd have a girls' weekend in Chicago.

March - Oregon Coast

 

April 2016:

I lunched & shopped & hung out with my sister on Saturday.

April - Trucks

 

May 2016:

Virginia Frances

May - Jun-Gin

 

June 2016:

Knitting: Too many things.

June - succulents

 

July 2016:

Anticipating... our first Farmers Market of the season tomorrow morning!

July - Flowage

 

August 2016:

Ten on Tuesday:  10 Things On My Summer Bucket List

August - boys

 

September 2016:

And now, a little shameless promotion.

September - family

 

October 2016:

I knit this adorable hat using leftovers from Gin's Elwood, and I couldn't be happier (except that I wish I'd knit it one size larger) (listen to the voices in your head!).

October - Cara-Ann-Gnome

 

November 2016:

It's November, which means it's time for NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) -- little sister to NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month).

November - Squad Mitts

 

December 2016:

This is why.

December - Gin-Alfalfa

 

I can't quite believe 2016 is almost over!


Year In Review: 2015

It's that time again!

As I have done sometime in December for quite a few years: Year In Review. I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- the two are not necessarily related.

January 2015:

A quick run with Ali to pick up a vintage Formica set for the shop.

January2015


February 2015:

I'll be doing it all week.

February2015

 

March 2015:

I was looking forward to a quiet weekend at home, but my li'l sister called and she missed me!

March2015

 

April 2015:

Watching... Law & Order UK

April2015

 

May 2015:

I made a point to take and label (with the date) and post a photo to Instagram everyday last month.

May2015

 

June 2015:

None of us ever tired of the vacations at the lake.

June2015

 

July 2015:

Anticipating... the Friday opening of HERE AND AWAY at The ARTGarage in Green Bay, a photography show curated by Kate and presented by Young Space.

July2015

 

August 2015:

In the 1940s (the World War II years) the demand for butter tubs and cheese boxes kept the Blum factories very busy.

August2015

 

September 2015:

The boss is on vacation and I'm working everyday this week... long days.

September2015

 

October 2015:

Humored by... that kid! He started pressing the button and...

October2015

 

November 2015:

By now, Daylight Savings Time has ended and most clocks in the U.S. have fallen back an hour.

November2015

 

December 2015:

1 - Pardon the repetition, but I walked 32 miles in November!

December2015

Note to self: Do more photo collages -- choosing only one photo for some of these months is pretty much impossible!


Year in Review: 2014

It's that time again!

As I have done the last few many years sometime in December, it's time for a review of the year. I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- one is not necessarily related to the other.

January:

Rusty and I visited the local pub for a mug and a burger early last evening, planning to spend the rest of the evening in... quiet and cozy... because, baby, it's cold outside!

Junah1

February:

I am conflicted on which way to go with this post, so it's probably going to be all over the place!

Mom-Junah

March:

I saw the final five of nine Best Picture nominees on Saturday, and let me just say that a five-movie marathon is just about one too many for me!

Alabama-Mosaic-2014

April:

From a man's 4X pocket tee to a woman's boatneck swing top.

Moving-back

May:

April flew right by!

2014-05-25_1401036413

June:

Upon returning home from vacation, I immediately went over for some grandson snuggles!

Hands-of-love

July:

I decided to begin #100happydays on June 1st because I knew that it would be a tough summer.

TTL

August:

That's 61 so far!

Kids

September:

That's right! I'll reach #100happydays on Monday!

Mad-rn

October:

The Kaffe Fassett KAL started yesterday.

David-Bowie-Is

November:

Why, of course!

Cabin-from-loft

December:

December is only 3 days old and already so much has changed since the 1st. 

Christmas-1966

 

* * * * *

This is probably the most difficult Year In Review so far! From one extreme to the other emotionally in the first six months -- attending the birth of my first grandchild, present at my mother's passing -- working on recovery in the last.

Per my wise friend Claudia: "It's never all one thing, is it?"

How to limit my favorite photos to just one per month?! How not to have my favorite photo every month be of my grandson?

I haven't finished blogging about our May trip to Scotland. I'm going to try to do that by the end of the year. That's a good goal.

 


Year In Review: 2013

It's that time again! As I've done the last few many years sometime in December, it's time for a review of the year. I do it in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- one is not necessarily related to the other.

January:

The last knitting I did in 2012 was a hexagon.

01-January-Houston-airport-terminal
February:

I quickly passed through all of the airport security lines without problem, retrieved my luggage and peeled off the last little bit of "Wisconsin winter" clothing along in the process (except for the leggings and compression knee-highs, which, you can be assured, I took care of ASAP), looking for familiar faces... which I did not see!

02-February-Dois-Irmaos
March:

Perfect morning to head to the beach!

03-March-Cook-in-Rio
April:

Oh. {Hi! Yeah. So remember me? I used to knit.}

04-April-baby-knitting
May:

Obviously, I finished this months ago!

05-May-Roasted-Asparagus-and-Shrimp
June:

On the first of June, my irises bloomed!

06-June-Wedding-Day
July:

I didn't finish them in time for the wedding.

07-July-Mack-Vick-Addy
August:

Here's what's happening for me . . . Right Now!

08-August-Ali-Vicki-Kate
September:

It was not a bad day to be at the market yesterday.

09-September-Wedding-Shawls
October:

When Ali messaged me a few weeks ago that she didn't have anyone available to work the market with me on a particular Saturday, my wheels immediately started in motion.

10-October-Farmer-Market
November:

Day 1. I haven't officially signed on (yet), but it seems a shame not to participate in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) for the fifth straight year -- even though I'm crazy busy today and nothing is coming together on-the-fly quite as I'd like.

11-November-Chevron-Baby-Blanket-Purl-Bee
December:

While I could have drowned Ali with the handknits at her baby shower, I decided to include only the projects I've started *and* finished since learning about Zim!

12-December-Baby-Shower
* * * * *

I like how I stretched the posting of a mid-January week-long visit to Rio all the way into March! That's the way to make a vacation last!! I also travelled in '13 to Chicago and Door County with various of my girls, as well as get-aways to Milwaukee and Lake Geneva with Rusty.

Ali's wedding was the definite highlight of the year! It was so much fun -- and I guess, having just finished that little photo book, that I must like to stretch out and savor the good stuff. Ha.

The baby knitting sort of took over the second half of the year, and now I'm concentrating on hats while I wait for a baby to be born!

 

 


Year in Review: 2012

It's that time again. As I've done the last few years sometime in December, it's time for a review of the year in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (a favorite posted photo from each month) -- one is not necessarily related to the other.

January:

018-of-366

I've done a little bit of a bunch of stuff today...

February:

057-of-366

Fresh, new dishcloths and towels in bright colors and I am over the moon... more than I should be about such things, but there you go.

March:

image from www.flickr.com

Month #2/February of Project 366 (2012) is over!

April:

image from www.flickr.com

CHICAGO!! *

May:

Lookin' out my back door (at the other back door)

Ten on Tuesday: 10 Items Pinned to Your Bulletin Board / I could ask which one... 

June:

Web2012-06-16 16.12.51

I've done very few Knit-Alongs (KALs) in my years of "online" knitting.

July:

Web-IMG_2941

And this will be the last portrait of siblings for a while. **

August:

Web-2012-08-25 07.36.36

As I searched through the stash for something the other day one of the things (not THE thing) briefly acknowledged as it quickly passed in and out of my hands was a bag holding chosen yarn and a pattern for mittens.

September:

Web-2012-09-18 14.45.58

This morning, I thought of the greatest title for this post that I wasn't ready to sit down and write.

October:

Vic-Ang_10-25-12

After breakfast and some in-town doings on Wednesday morning, we drove up the Gunflint Trail.

November:

My McGunnegle

This is Eisig-Warm. ***

December:

2012-12-07_1354898591

Favor first: Would you mind clicking over to Small Business Big Wishes and casting a vote for Alison's wish for new windows at Kaukauna Coffee & Tea?

* * * * *

* I actually went to Chicago twice in 2012 (three times if O'Hare and back counts)... and to Minnesota's North Shore... and to the Bay Area of California. It was a pretty good year for getting out and about.

** The possibility of a sibling portrait redux could happen again this holiday season. Ann & her family are flying in on Christmas Eve and will be here a third of the way through January -- returning home**** not much before I fly down there! The most unusual of holidays that I was anticipating... is still going to be one of the most unusual holidays ever.

*** That is not Eisig-Warm, it's My McGunnegle!

**** Brazil!

Welcome to my weird world.

 


Year in review: 2011

It's that time again. As I've done the last few years sometime in December, it's time for a review -- in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (one favorite posted photo from each month), one not necessarily related to the other.

January:

January
Though the weather wrecked travel plans for some, we had a nice gathering last night for New Year's Eve and for remembering Sharon.

.

February:

February
Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things On Your Nightstand/Bedside Table / 1. Firstly, it's a bookshelf and so there are lots of books -- books are on it, books are in it and, until recently, books were leaning up against it.

.

March:

Web-IMG_5678
Ten on Tuesday: 10 Things to Like About the Month of March / 1. My brother's birthday is on...

.

April:

Web-IMG_6295
Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy. A kid'll eat ivy, too. Wouldn't you?

.

May:

Web-IMG_5825
Red numbers, too.

.

June:

image from www.flickr.com
Charlee!

.

July:

Just beginning

Not me (not yet).

.

August:

Web-IMG_9738
Stripe Study Shawl by Veera Välimäki

.

September:

Utah copy
...blew through here this morning, making the rain "fall" sideways, and it was sorta scary!

.

October:

image from www.flickr.com
Not only did I get to visit Silver Lake with Margene (one week ago today!), I was also able to photograph a fresh Different Lines there with Margene as my model!

.

November:

image from www.flickr.com
I finally knit up the yellow test skeins for my PS Square Project and managed to get them photographed while there was still some light on Saturday afternoon.

.

December:

Nice and simple

I have some yarn in shades of blue for Margene in case she wants to start Knitting the Weather, or something, next month... or sometime.

.

I've expanded my horizons in more ways than one. It's been quite a year... and it ain't over yet.


In review: 2010

As I've done the last few years sometime in December, it's time for a review -- in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (one favorite posted photo from each month), one not necessarily related to the other.

image from www.flickr.com
January:  Haha!  I just read my post from last January 1st and I'm thinkin' that a New Year's Day nap is well on the road to tradition.

Web-IMG_6063
February:  Randomly.  Heh.  It's only been five days, but for a near-daily blogger -- in blog years -- it seems much longer.

Web-IMG_2641

March:  (He ain't heavy) ...he's my brother.

Web-IMG_7086
April:  Dawn, my cookie lady, made an appearance on local morning TV this week.

Web-IMG_8417

May:  The babies part was fun; the bugs, not so much.

DSC09932

June:  The fish-eye goes back to BorrowLenses.com today.

Web-0701101852a

July:  (Knitting strips of stripes) ...it's like eating candy.

Web-IMG_0556

August:  This is not a definitive arrangement, by any means.

Liam 
September:  As of late this afternoon, I have finished knitting the strips!

Observe

October:  The production of knitted goods 'round here ain't what it used to be, but the act of knitting, to some degree, is done nearly every single day.

Go Cal!

November:  There's always the photography and always the knitting, but they don't seem to mash up as often as they should these days!

Grandparents

December:  Parcheesi, designed by Feral Knitter Janine.

It's been quite a year, folks.  Thanks, as always, for reading, writing, encouraging, praying, loving, being, doing... everything.


In review: 2009

As I've done the last few years sometime in December, it's time for a review -- in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (one favorite posted photo from each month), one not necessarily related to the other.

January:  Maddy's not usually so willing a model, so I wouldn't hold my breath thinking you'll see her here tomorrow for the Happy Trifecta.

Can you see me now?

February:  I met up with some local Flickr peeps for a winter photo walk at a local park yesterday.

Ali's back

March:  I know that "spring" is a few weeks off yet, but it's MARCH and we're getting CLOSE and I took the Christmas wreath off the door and replaced it with THIS today!!

Circles in wool & cotton; the desert (with purple mountain's majesty) and the forest

April:  I finally got this hat in the mail to my sister yesterday.

Cat Bordhi

May:  Have I mentioned how much I love these boys?

(Toughest month to choose a photo so far -- it's SPRING!)

At the beach - tiltshift

June:  The Empire Builder didn't pull into Columbus until about 5:30 last night and I still had to get all my stuff together at my sister's and face the hour-and-a-half drive home.

Maddy_6-3-09
July:  Maddy had one of her occasional episodes of spontaneous cleaning yesterday.

(This is hard!)

Canvas-holders
August:  It's one of those Mondays that can get you down, but I'm going to try hard to focus on the positive and maybe I'll find some strength to deal with the rest.

Yellow-house
September:  I called my sister Sharon (pictured above on August 13, 1975, with Uncle Bob) (I hope they don't mind my posting it) on Saturday while on the way home from delivering Maddy to college.

Little-piggies
 October:  I just joined Norma's Alert The Media Rav_link group.

IMG_3525-proof
November:  Today's the day. 

Noro-entrelac
(Um, oh yeah, this started as a knitting blog!)

December:  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Ali-smile
And there we have it, 2009 is nearly a done deal.  There were a lot of changes around here.  2010 is fast approaching -- one can only guess at what's in store.  Here we go... wheeeeeee!


It's about time... let's review: 2008

As I've done the last couple of years at this time of year, it's time for a little year-in-review -- in words (the first sentence of the first post of each month) and in pictures (one favorite posted photo from each month), not necessarily related to each other.

DSC01888

January:  Get your cameras ready!!

Cara Baby

February:  I was flipping through channels yesterday while cleaning up the kitchen and stumbled across a rebroadcast of the Republican debate from the night before -- it wasn't long before I flipped channels some more, but this caught my attention for a few minutes.

Hardware Store

March:  I've been savoring my weekend.

DSC02344_0113

April:  I had a great time at cooking class last night.

NicoletHands

May:  It's Saturday Sky!

Near Waterloo

June:  VIOLA, cornuta, Black Devil.

Cuteness personified

July:  Inspired.

Birds Fly

August:  Continuing a very busy weekend, I'm on my way to Madison today in a borrowed van to haul the big stuff from Katie's apartment.

Red yarn

September:  Juno Regina!

Partial evidence

October:  It was a good day, especially since I was a little down in the dumps yesterday.

Three out of four

November:  I had a TERRIBLE FRIGHT!

What's in store

December:  Honest to god, I have so much more to say.


Let's review: Pictures 2007

01january_2Continuing yesterday's "year in review" theme, I've chosen one posted photograph from each month of the year.  These are not the BEST photographs from each month, they're the ones that sing to me for one reason or another, or make me smile.

It's not as easy as it looks -- there were some months that it was tough to choose only one, and others that I just had to close my eyes and just pick one already.  I was reminded of a "game" I used to play with my sisters and the Sears, Penney's and Wards catalogs -- not only the Christmas catalogs, sometimes the big ones, too.  I'd sit with a sister and we'd go through the catalog page-by-page; we'd each have to pick something we'd want from "our" pages -- if I was sitting on the right, I could only choose from items on a right-hand page, if I was sitting on the left... or sometimes we'd switch it up and could only chose from the others' pages.  Well, anyway, here are my photo pics for the year.

January -- I love this picture; I was showing DH how I can take a self-portrait with my camera phone (or a portrait of us both!).

02february_2 03march_2

February -- St. Brigid's sleeves get lengthened.

March -- Kind of crude, but it makes me laugh; it's one of the elements I made and used for my brother's birthday card.

04april_2 05may_3 

April -- Let there be peas on earth!

May -- I love this photo of Mack, wearing his new baby a sweater, playing in the back yard.

06june_2 07july_3

June -- Lilies-of-the-valley nightcaps!  This is one that if the neighbors were watching when the photo was taken, they might wonder about me.

July -- Special Swap!  This was my first and favorite Special Swap.  My partner, the theme, the idea, the timing, all the pieces -- everything came together perfectly.  It was pure joy to make this tray for Lynne.

08august 09september

August -- Addison arrives.  (God, I love babies.)

September -- It's football season!  (I love toddlers, too.)

10october 11november

October -- Multi-tasking Saartje's Bootees.

November -- Opal Socks Hundertwasser Der Blaue Mond as Argosy scarf.  This was one of my favorite things to knit all year.  I love the idea and inspiration for this yarn, love the colors, love how they work in this pattern -- I wear this scarf a lot, and other people seem to love it, too.  I would like to make another.

12decemberDecember -- Here's a glimpse into the future, because this picture hasn't actually been posted yet.  These are two little Odd Fellows made this month and sent off, in a PIF sort of way, with upsized Santa Hats on their heads.  I hope they make a couple of kids very happy.  The one on the left is for a young girl, the one on the right for a little boy; favorite colors as specified by their mothers.  I had so much fun making these.  I can't look at them and NOT smile.  XO.

Y'all let me know if you "review," too, eh?


Let's review: Words 2007

I did this meme last year, thanks (again) to Celia, and put my own spin on it by adding a favorite photo from each month.  This year, I'm going to spin my own spin and make it two separate posts:  a Words edition and a Photos edition.  Photos yet to come.

The first sentence of each first post of the month for 2006 (just not able to stop spinning, I've included the title of each post):

January

Red buttons:  My last FO for 2006 was another Calorimetry.

February

Post pourri:  Well, this was just going to be a little on-line note to myself about things I wanted to mention, elaborate on, think about and/or link to, but it took off!

March

Just a few things:  Carrie referenced the BigAlice List of Positives in her comment to my last post.

April

Monday, Monday:  ...can't trust that day.

May

Great Expectations:  Well, I ended up a bit long-winded today... there's knitting stuff at the end.

June

My pretties:  That's what's become of the iris bud I posted a little while back.

July

It's a Miracle...:  ...a Miracle Sweet!

August

Late bloomer:  I met with the director of a program I'm interested in (she's a late-bloomer, too) -- very interested in, as in, I think I might know what I want to be when I grow up -- at my local technical college today, and I have applied for school.

September

Winners at hand:  Ooops, it's Tuesday already!

October

Smitten + Mitered + Mittens = Smiterittens:  Look at that!

November

Maddy Mouse & holiday musing:  She's more ham than mouse.  ; )

December

SoSuMe:  I know, NaBloPoMo is over.


Year in review: 2006

Thank you, Celia.  (Because it should not be missed, I'm linking to Celia's Unrequited Love podcast at Quirky Nomads, too.  It's a great story, and so wonderful to hear her voice!  I was hoping for a little yodel at the end, but I guess that's part of another story.)

01The first sentence of each first post of the month for 2006 (one picture from every month, in order, is my addition):

January

Happy New Year!

February

On Friday morning, Maddy tried to "wake up" our main computer.

March

I saw my brother today, but he didn't see me.

02 03 04

April

I forgot to mention yesterday that among my chores, right between stopping at work and stopping at the bank, was a stop at the DMV to finish what Alison had started, but could not complete, the day before.

05May

We did a little rummaging on Saturday and this is part of my haul from a sale at the home of the couple who own an antique mall in our area (not the one at which I occasionally fill in) -- it was bargain day!

June

Ina sent this "Iris Garden" Lorna's Laces, the yarn that my Individuals won for me, basically, in the ABC-Along "I" Contest.

July

There isn't any fruit on my cherry tomato yet; I've got it in a hanging basket at the south end of the back porch.

August

If you click on the picture on the left and look to the left of the white truck, you will see a dark shape on the horizon, also known as Rib Mountain.

06 07 08

09September

Katie had to be to work at 5 this morning, and Ali at 6:30; it's Maddy's first day of school, which would normally start at around 8, but only the lowly freshmen have to go so early on the first day of school.

10October

This is one of two mini Faroese shawls I made yesterday from the top down.

November

a.k.a. The Pergola Project.

December

God, I love the internet.

11 12 It's been quite a year.  ; )