A Story Waiting For a Miracle...............

After about 5 days of cold, cloudy weather, we woke to this gorgeous sunshine yesterday. It's still very cold (20 degrees last night) but those bright sunny rays will be heavenly today. And, we might even hit 55! I'm thinking we'll peak at that temp for all of 5 minutes before the thermometer starts it's sprial downturn.

I wanted to share a rather sad display of human unkindness that I witnessed at the post office the other day. As I was pulling into the parking lot, I saw an older woman riding on one of those motorized indoor scooter thingies. By time I parked the truck, she was already inside and getting her mail. Her box was considerably higher and was quite a reach for her. This very nice man started to reach for her mail and said, "Here, let me get that for you."

"DON'T TOUCH MY MAIL!" she voiced loudly. I could hear every pin in the post office drop as everyone turned around to witness such an outburst.

"I was only trying to help," the kind gentleman offered.

"I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR HELP!" she again blurted out.

With that, his head dropped and shoulders sagged as he left the post office.

At first, I felt absolutely terrible for this kind soul and wished I could offer him some comforting words. And I wanted desperately to say something to this very mean woman. But, as I thought about this incident the rest of the day, it was her that I realized needed my pity, not him. What must her life be like to be so terribly unhappy and to treat others with such unkindness? Only God knows what is in her heart and the pain that she feels. She robbed this man of a blessing and I fear that he will be reluctant to ever offer his assistance again to one in need. But, she is the one that needs our prayers. How sad to go through life with such a broken and mean spirited heart. So, I'll just "expect a miracle" and see how the Lord works this out. It's a small town and I'm sure that I'll see this woman again. Oh my gosh, I just had a thought - what if "I'm" the next person that God puts in her path for assistance?



On a lighter note, these socks turned out wonderfully well and I've already started a second pair on "Doris." The next ones will have a 3 x 1 ribbed leg and I'll add a picture to the next post.

AND, today is the last day to leave a comment on the post, "November Sock Giveaway." Tomorrow I'll announce the winner!

See you tomorrow.

Thanksgiving 2010

Our Thanksgiving was wonderful and I'm hoping that yours was too. Early Thursday morning I told Mac (yes, he understands everything!) that the kids were coming up. So, he spent the better part of the morning sitting there watching for their arrival.

Late that afternoon, I rode back down to Bakersfield with them so that I could watch our three grandsons on Friday. Both Cheryl and Scott had to be in their stores by 2 a.m. - can you imagine?



Saturday we stocked up on diesel and other supplies in anticipation of the snowstorm that was due in late Saturday afternoon. Most of the night was filled with extreme wind and rain, which was quite loud as I was trying to watch the new Mrs. Miracle movie on Hallmark.

The snow came during the night, but the winds blew most of it eastward. Still, Mac decided he wanted his bright red sweater on for comfort.



I tried to capture the blowing snow, but the camera didn't pick it up. Trust me, it's howling out there and I'm glad we turned off the wind turbine yesterday.



After the movie last night, I worked on a pair of socks and finished up the first one this morning. As much as I love to make them on our antique sock machine, I also enjoy handknitting them. Much more relaxing for sure.

November is almost over, so I want to remind you to leave a comment on the post, "November Sock Giveaway" so that you have a chance to win a pair of women's hand cranked socks. In this weather, nothing is nicer!

Til next time..................

Project Updates.......................

Just finished this fun hat and scarf set. The hat was hand knitted and the scarf was cranked out on "Doris" - our antique sock machine. Just added them to our Etsy store in time for the big holiday shopping weekend. Cross your fingers! Yesterday two of our patterns zoomed off through cyberspace to Australia. I always love to see where "Mrs. Crumpet's" next destination will be.

You know how I share (practically nothing!) about a current project that I'm working on for a yarn company? Well, until it's published (or whatever they do with it), I'm just not at liberty to discuss it. But, this past week one that I had done for Red Heart (Coats & Clark) is now up and running. They're called Adirondack Slipper Socks and you can visit their website for all the details. It's hard to see in the photo, but leather soles are attached, too. I could use a pair of those on my feet right now!

Today is my pie baking day - 4 in all. Two pumpkin, 1 cherry and 1 pecan. That should keep everyone happy. There will be 9 of us sharing our Thanksgiving table and I'm looking so forward to having all my family and one dear friend on this special day. The worst of the storms has now passed, so we're expecting sunshine on Thursday, but very cold temps. I think our high that day will be in the upper 30's. I'm shivering already at the thought!

I want to wish all of you and your families a most blessed Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy every minute with your loved ones.

Till next time...................

Saturday's Activities.....................

With Thanksgiving fast upon us, we decided to make a quick run down the mountain and out to the desert where food prices are half the cost as up here. There's a back road from Tehachapi that's much quicker for us than driving all the way through the town of Mojave. During the week this road can be a bit slower because of the massive wind turbine farm they're putting in. Lots of construction trucks are in the area then. These turbines are gigantic and make our little 3K one look like a toy. Once the 3 phases are completed, it will help to feed L.A.'s huge appetite for power.



Less than a 15 minute drive from our house, we are heading down and see the great Mojave desert. The storm was at our back during this trip, so we wanted to get down to the grocery store and back up as quickly as possible.



We made it home safely with everything we needed just as the rains were really starting to hit. Then I decided to finish up the ankle socks that I was knitting. Love afternoons where you can just sit and knit with a warm cup of tea.



Last night Bo needed a potty break at 12:30 a.m. and I looked out to see a cloudless sky and a gazillion stars. By morning, we woke to this - an inch of snow!
The forecast is saying the bulk of this storm will hit tonight into Monday and we're supposed to have 4-8" at our elevation.

I see lots of knitting today!

Red Sky in the Morning, Sailors Take Warning........

When we see a sunrise like this and hear the weekend's forecast, we know it's going to get ugly. Reminds us of the well known little saying - "Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning - red sky at night, sailor's delight. First we're supposed to start with rain after midnight tonight. Tomorrow the snows arrive around 5,000 feet. By late Sunday into Monday, the snow will impact all our mountain passes and be down to 4,000 feet. We live at an altitude of about 4,500 feet, so today I'll need to batten down the hatches. My little potted rosemary plant will be brought inside and all the garden hoses put away now for the winter.



Yesterday I mailed off the completed project and written instructions to Coats and Clark. Then I decided to look for any unfinished projects and found these ankle socks. The yarn is called "Happy Feet" from Plymouth Yarn Co. - don't you love the colors? They make this in a DK weight also. I just love this yarn!



Then I found this patriotic scarf that I had cranked out on "Doris" (she's our antique sock machine) and decided to list it in our Etsy store. I love getting all these loose ends tied up!

The end of the month is fast approaching, so if you haven't entered our November Sock Giveaway, please read that post for details. On Dec. 1st, I'll be announcing the winner of a women's pair of hand cranked socks. And I gotta tell you, there's nothing like wearing a nice warm pair of wool socks!

What's the weather doing where you live?

Another Pair Cranked Out...................

Here's what the yarn looks like as a skein.



And here's the finished product. My supply of women's size L is like zero, so I thought it'd be wise to make a pair up. This is really a great, great yarn and the colors are marvelous. Sure hope our back order arrives soon so that I can show you more. I just listed this pair in our Etsy store, so keep your fingers and toes crossed that they sell quickly!

Have a great day out there and be sure to find some time just for you!

Til next time...............

A Day Filled With Knitting Projects............

I ordered three wonderful colors of Plymouth's Zino yarn for our Etsy shop. Two are on back order (must be very popular yarn) but this lovely color arrived and I just cranked out one sock with it. This afternoon I'll make another and get them in our Etsy store tomorrow. Christmas is just around the corner and I need to get cranking!

Today I should finish up the project that I'm doing for Coats and Clark and then tomorrow I'll type and proof the pattern. Sure wish I could show it to you or give details. Sorry, but mum's the word for now.



My husband has taken an interest in making wood signs and so I asked him to make one for my dearest friend. I've been meaning to take a picture of this one that has one of my favorite Bible verses on it. What knitter wouldn't love this? After the holidays we hope to get him a much better router with the special lettering attachment so that he can start making them for our Etsy store. Good job, honey!

Well, I better get back to my knitting and a bit of housework.

Til next time................