The Perfect Weekend - for me anyways

I so look forward to weekends, the time I can do what ever I desire.  So, after cleaning my room, a carry over from my growing up years, doing the laundry and cleaning the bathroom, I sit down with my yarn and computer and watch the world go by.  My current projects - two are waiting for buttons and one is in the process.  Next to hemming I dislike sewing on buttons but I "force" my self.  Can't sell cardigans without the buttons.  

Found some great Catherine Cookson movies on netflix that have kept me well stock for my knitting sessions.  I have come to enjoy British shows a lot this winter and spring.  Cookson wrote during the turn of the century and about the class divisions that existed there.  

Couldn't resist --- this is how THEY spend the weekends.  Fixing - cars, trucks, tractors, tillers,  

you name it.  "My son the engineer"or no. 1 son likes the challenge of putting our vehicles back in working order.  I think it is a good stress reliever after working on computer programs all day.  

Don't know what I would do with out his help. Don't know what "my son the fish doctor" or no. 2 son would do with out his help either.  This spring, when they weren't fixing things that use gas they have been cleaning the greenhouses getting ready for May sales.   It is really a nice thing to see as a mom, two of your children working together as adults. And what is even more heart warming is to see all of them together and not fighting.  "My son the bum" ( and I mean that with all love) or no. 3 son 

will join the fray every once in a while and lend a hand. 

I refer to no 3 son as "my son the bum" but not in the way most people would think.  Josh holds a job that he LOVES -- and has THE best customer service.  He engages his customers in a short conversation and shows interest in who they are and not just a paying customer.  The bum part is because he has the ability to live just about any place, any way, any style.  He prefers a bike to a car for transportation, he lives a minimalist lifestyle, and he willingly leans a hand when we need him.  

I often wonder what no 4 son would have been like but then, God blessed me with a daughter 

who in turn blessed me with a grandson. And so the boys start all over again. 

The Train is Coming

The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus is on its way to Kentucky.  Louisville to be exact AND it will be going right by Tyler's house -- You can actually look out the living room window and watch the train's go by.  What is really really cool is that is also

 goes right down the main street of La Grange.  

It is on its way to its next performance. 

I am happy that Tyler will get to see this --- He LOVES trains as most little kids do. 

I am sad because I was supposed to be visiting there for the holidays 

but alas,  I am still here in NY and I will not be seeing it. 

 I know if Tyler's Unc had his way they would be right there watching

 the elephants unload and make their way into the "big top"

More elephants -- we can't get enough. 

Unc has a collection of about 100 - all sizes - of elephants. 

It's a hobby he acquire after his trip to India.

 I guess those giants made quite an impression on him . 

There's something about the circus that's nostalgic and child like, that makes me remember all the ones I went to as a kid growing up in Utica.  Listening to the "live" band (my clarinet teacher played tuba) at the Armory on Culver Ave.  I think it is something every child must experience at least once. 

Weekend Movie Pick - To End All Wars

Yes, it is Saturday and after all the chores are finished I like to tune into a 

great movie and do some knitting.

Todays choice - To End All Wars.  

At first I thought it was going to be one of those typical war movies but oh was I wrong.

What made me choose this movie today was the connection to Burma.

So often we don't think of Southeast Asia when we think of WW II.  

So much has been written on the German involvement and 

while every school student learns about Japan's impact on us during this conflict 

I don't think they realize just what was happening around that area. 

India-Burma Campaign

2 April 1942-28 January 1945

Inspired by real-life events, this drama explores the experiences of Capt. Ernest Gordon and other Japanese prisoners of war enlisted to build the Railroad of Death. 

As the men struggle to maintain their sanity and will, they begin to drift apart.

If you get a chance to view this movie, you won't be disappointed.  I warn you though - it is graphic in portraying the hell these men went through.  BUT, there is something more here and what changes the hearts of the men held captive. 

BABY IT'S SNOW OUTSIDE

Now, that we have had summer  and then winter and now finally spring, I thought I would post a photo taken by the owners of One Nineteen West Main  a superb eatery in 

La Grange.  This was taken the day after the big tornado explosion in Kentucky.  

Crazy wacky weather. 

Warm Spring brings out the cold in me.

WINTER OF 1780

Friday's get away brought us to Goat Island, NY and when I learned about how the island got it's name, a wee bit sad, I read about this really cold winter - the Winter of 1780.

Sons of Liberty and Morristown

We think our winters are horrible.  We complain when we have to shovel snow yet I remember the stories my grandfather told about how he and the boys would shovel not just their drive way but from their farm down the road to the next.  But think how truly horrible it was for the Continental Army when they camped in NJ to be hit with one of our severest winters.

DARRYL HAMSON has written a nice and concise article about that winter recording it as the worse winter in 400 years.

But to get back to Goat Island -

John Stedman — an early pioneer and miller — kept a herd of goats on the island so that the wolves wouldn't eat them. Upon returning to the island after the terrible winter of 1780, Stedman found all but one of the goats had died; thus giving the island its name. I am assuming he called his one surviving animal - Goat

MARCH 23, 2012 - Just returned from our adventure on New York's west cost. 

It was so very nice to get away on a warm NY March day.

I had forgotten how cold the spray was this time of the year

And yes, the water is that green

A view from Luna Island of the Maid of the Mist walk ways

Can you see the rainbow - there was several through out the falls areas. 

And Nikola Tesla - a favorite of my "son the engineer".  In fact it was the first thing he asked when he heard we went to Goat Island - "did you see the statue of Nikola?"

And that was my short adventure - I am hoping to return next Friday - 

number 3 son needs to pick up his new glasses. 

It was a weally big fish and i lub it

Big shout out to Grampa Tom for taking Tyler fishing 

at the Bass Pro shop in Indiana.  

THAT's what grampa's are for.  Thanks Tom.



Tyler on his first boat trip sitting on his grampa's knee.
Looks like some serious talking going on.

Soakers - for baby that is.

My crochet binge has taken me to diaper soakers.  Now I only wish I had another granbaby to use them.

With nothing to go by my first attempt came out a large so for my next attempt 

I shortened up the chain length and got a size more suiting to a 3-6 month 

but then again there is a lot of stretch in this crochet stitch. 

I found a really nice natural wool that works up super nice. 

Needed to add some color to my evening hooking session so I put in a 

quick order to knit picks and got some really nice heathered peruvian wool. 

 Another soaker made of acrylic yarn (Vanna's - for acrylic it works up nicely)

Needed to try a different pattern and I really like the feel of this yarn as well as the stitch. 

This really gives a much better idea of the red and green that I used.  

Well, I couldn't continue crochet only so  in my search for a knit soaker I came across curly purly and this pattern.  I particularly like this style because 1. no need for a tie 2.  you can make it long in the waist. .

Almost finished, all that's needed is the leg cuffs and then some blocking.