puggyknits...

pending...

2011-02-14T10:54:00.005-06:00

When I was growing up in the Northwest, the 30's and 40's (weather-wise) were something to bundle up for and brace yourself against.
Now? Well, in the past two days I've heard the terms "heat wave", "warming trend", "Spring has arrived" and "Coat? We don't need no stinkin' coat!" used alternately and in a single sentence without taking a breath. Of course, those who know better remind the overly exuberant that we do still live in Wisconsin and it's only February and not to get too excited.
Well, I'm home sick with a cold, so today I'm a realist. But I am also hopeful, so I will post a happy Spring-like picture for those who've gotten ahead of themselves or are simply biding their time, waiting for the warmth to finally settle and stick. Which, of course, they will immediately begin complaining about and crank up the AC whilst pining away for cooler weather. Sniff. wheeze... never happy, these Mid-westerners. Where's the Pug? I need my foot warmer and another pot of tea...

kindred spirit

2010-12-14T21:57:00.003-06:00

Met a young lady today who knits. She was bursting over with the joy of it: patterns to plan for, projects to dream about, wrestle with and oh, the excitement of sharing with someone else who understood the fascination, the compulsion, the sheer love and madness of the craft. She spoke of soft, squishy fiber, wooden needles that click as you go along and wondered about the meaning of and how to execute a "T3b".
What is it about taking a long skinny piece of string and messing about with sticks that brings out the twinkle in someone's eye and connects two people who've never met in such a way that you feel as if you've always known each other and could probably talk for hours even though you've just met and there are at least 35 years difference in your ages and would probably have nothing else to talk about otherwise?

funny...

2010-07-07T20:27:00.004-05:00

I've been reminded lately that my life is not my own. My time, my thought life, my goals, my dreams - every breath I take was bought and paid for by the blood of the Lamb. I am NOT my own...
How many days do I fritter away, accomplishing nothing of what I imagine to be either earthly or heavenly merit? I'm not comfortable with the true answer to that question.
Even so, I am overwhelmed with the sense of His presence, even in the seemingly unimportant and frivolous moments of each day. A bit of sweetness in a random snatch of melody, heard in passing. An unexpected fresh, light breeze in the middle of a humid afternoon. A note from a friend reminding me that I am not alone and someone has been thinking of me.
Being reminded that, "before you were born, I knew you"...

funny.

I've always thought I had to be doing BIG things for God for Him to be pleased with me. Maybe it's enough to simply whisper "thank you" to the One who calls me His own and reminds me in the small things that He is so very, very close...

oh that's right... I have a blog.

2010-06-12T15:44:00.006-05:00

The knitting has been put on hiatus for at least 1 year so I can concentrate on other things.
The pug is still annoying.
I'm not bored with writing, just not sure what to post about anymore.
I've been working hard, and playing a bit more, too, which is a good thing.
Friday Night Worship is on vacation for the summer, so not obligated to rehearsal time - which I love and would really rather be doing nothing else BUT that, but there is eating and providing shelter for my kids - which makes work necessary, I guess.
I still feel like I need to pack for some reason... like I'm not going to be in this house for another Christmas, but I don't know why, really.
I should be doing laundry right now, or cleaning something.
Instead, I'm spending 3 hours attempting to upload photos to Facebook "successfully".
Thinking about going to my high school reunion - I've sent the money for the dinner, but i haven't bought the plane ticket yet... what does that say about me?
It says, 'you are a big fat chicken' is what it says.
I bought a new camera - one that actually makes you think, if you want to. The Princess is taking a pre-college course this summer, which includes drawing and photography. I figured her shots taken with a point-and-shoot are great...she needs something more professional to work with. Because it was expensive, it's officially mine - with visitation privileges.
I'm having fun with it, too. Next up: PhotoShop lessons.

six sentences

2010-03-01T09:34:00.006-06:00

The swollen Molly rests in the lower left corner of the brightly lit tank, fins spinning like propellers to keep itself upright in the shallow indentation it had made in the aquarium gravel. The bulging belly, says the pet store attendant and internet photos of other bloated Mollies, will last nine weeks or so before the fry appear, wiggling free in the miracle of live birth. Kyle and I wait, heads together resting on forearms and kitchen counter, eyes forced wide to keep from missing the moment in the wee hours of the morning, together in concern and curiosity over our scaly ward.
The fish rocks and wobbles, the small round mouth opening in rhythm to the swaying, it's unblinking eyes staring past us to a focal point on the wall behind and I am in the delivery room eighteen years ago focusing, breathing, rocking, eager to meet the boy standing now so silently next to me. Focused again on the small white mouth - open, close, open, close, open.
Hearts caught in throats, the sweet soundtrack scratching to a halt just as the flutes begin to swell, we stand in disbelief, wondering if it's alright to cry when a fish dies.

(check out http://sixsentences.blogspot.com)

you never can tell what you'll find...

2009-11-10T22:07:00.001-06:00

I was looking for colored pencils...

back to life, back to reality...

2009-09-26T19:18:00.011-05:00

"Flumonia's" done and over with. Back to work, slowly back to home routine (I'm currently avoiding housework, if you must know) and just in time, too! Fall is so very in the air! I find this time of year completely energizing. Fresh air, necessary rain without the added humidity... feels almost like I'm still living in the NW corner of the world, Pacifically speaking. One curious thing, tho. While tomatoes have been weighing down the open market stalls for some time now, mine are still struggling to gain their full color. But they are going through an amazing burst of growth. The cherries and grape variety didn't fare so well, but the yellow plums are huge! I've also enjoyed a fair number of ground cherries from the single plant I put in. It's almost time to harvest the items for "tea" making... 2 kinds of mint, lemon grass, lemon balm, and of course the stevia. I have lemon verbena (hmmm... maybe she likes lemon...) as well as two kinds of basil, onions and small leeks. It's a small garden. I grow small things. Except for weeds. There is a very large prickly thing growing out of the crack/hole in my front step that rivals the main character in "Little Shop of Horrors". Maybe it will scare away the ants come spring.

Fall. Time for breathing deep, harvesting, tidying up, digging out sweaters from storage and deciding which unfinished projects to pull out and work on as potential Christmas gifts. I finally finished the 10-year blanket project - not because it was done, but because I was decidedly done with it. Large, sea-green acrylic stockinette square with garter stitch border. Unfortunate use of my time, but it was started before I knew what I liked and what was practical. After binding off, and using it for a short period of time - it snagged and ran. Big time. (sigh) It took a full hour to "unsnag" it, stitch by stitch. It did give me a better understanding of stitch construction and insight as to why people may have created stitch patterns... less chance of snagging and running. More time for hunting and gathering, or whatever they did when they weren't knitting.

Here are a few pics from the early garden... Happy Autumn!

yay...

2009-09-11T14:28:00.000-05:00

kosher flu. no pigs involved. going back to sleep now...

mommy...

2009-09-11T12:10:00.003-05:00

please make the flying piggy go away...(insert long, drawn-out, self-pitying groan here).
Dear God, if you're going to force me to stay home and not go to work for an extended period of time, next time, please make it for a good reason, like, "I have some unfinished knitting to do", or "there's one more lake I haven't paddled on in this county and I need to get it in before the snow flies", or, "I need to catch up on my blogging". You know, good reasons.

lovin the laptop...

2009-07-28T18:41:00.005-05:00

I'm sure this is not a big deal to anyone but me. I am outside on my back deck, enjoying having given at least 100% at work today, not having to cook for anyone (including myself), knitting AND blogging about it! It's not 3:00 a.m., I didn't have to beg my kids for 10 minutes on the computers...this is just way too cool. The only competition for my attention is the occasional mosquito - but they can be dealt with. Ahhhh... feel that? Slight breeze wafting through the trees. Mmmmm....Hear that? Wind chimes somewhere over there, birds chirping, the hum of someone else's lawn mower...I am truly "knitting on top of the world". Speaking of Nicky Epstein, I normally won't buy a book with someone else's patterns in it, if I can help it. I really love stitch dictionaries, technique and "how to" books... but I shelled out the big bucks for this book for one pattern only: the "Celtic Hooded Coat". Nicky used Lion Brand "Wool -Ease Chunky" in "Fisherman", which was unavailable and also not so cheap, for a Lion Brand product... or maybe not. It's been a while since I've bought anything not yarn-snobbish. So, instead, I ended up using two strands of a nice wool I can't remember the name of right now and got guage nicely enough to get going. I also opted for a lovely foresty-green rather that dirt-and-black-pug-hair-magnet off-white. Anyway, the rest of the patterns I could take or leave, except - um... (pauses to quickly flip through the book...) um, ok. No, I'm pretty sure the book will go back on the shelf or be donated to the local library, which may or may not make up for the stitch dictionary I "borrowed" 4 years ago and forgot to return.
Ok. The mosquitos have converged... I thought it was odd not to see more than one in a 10 minute time span... it is afterall midsummer in Wisconsin... (sigh). Guess I'll have to come down from the mountain top after all. Fun while it lasted, though.

back to blogworld at last...

2009-07-18T18:53:00.003-05:00

Facebook is fun for finding and catching up on old friends. I feel more comfortable here, though. There, unless you turn on all sorts of blocks, etc. EVERYONE knows what you're up to, whether you want them to or not. Here, I can write away to my hearts content and only people who know I'm here and kinda sorta care that I'm here will know what I'm up to. I'm also not completely lost everytime I go to log on... there's something to say for constancy. Anyway, I'm watching "Beyond the Sea" on my laptop and making "Victoria Sponge Cake", just in case y'all need to know. Later, I'll knock off a couple of rows on my latest knitting project and maybe let the dog sit by me on the couch, if he's nice. Which he is, for the most part. At least he has a great smile...

just checking in before my head hits the pillow...

2009-06-19T23:38:00.003-05:00

there is lovely music on the sidebar for your listening pleasure.

there is a lovely new laptop for my PERSONAL NO KIDS ALLOWED blogging/surfing/facebooking pleasure.

Happy dancing sock monkey approves.

We are tired, but happy. Off to beachy places with the Princess tomorrow, possibly even if the storms continue. They promised nice weather, so I'm holding them to it.
ta.

zzzzzzzzzz.....

I'm ok with this...

2009-05-08T10:36:00.009-05:00

1 Corinthians 2:9...
"But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him'." -nkjv
lyrics from the shore:
Chorus: "One day I'll stand next to my brother, on the shore of the glassy sea watching the final setting of the sun. We will join hands and raise our voices in a chorus of mighty praise - sing out the Song of Moses, and the Song of the Lamb.
Verse 1: "You have delivered me, you've set this captive free; free from the chains of sin, free from the guilt and shame within. Yet more than set me free, Jesus - you walked here with me, through every trial - this is my Song of the Lamb."

no fear - only hope.

What's your verse going to be?

gotta make time...

2009-03-12T17:00:00.007-05:00

I was slightly infatuated with Ravelry. Now I'm slightly infatuated with Facebook, so I haven't truly blogged in a while. (sigh)Too much time spent indoors. I need to get outdoors and away from computers. I really, really, really can't wait until the weather is better and I really, really, really hope we don't have any major flooding 'cause I really, really, really want to go kayaking as much a possible this year. Really, really.

I've made some scarves, hats and giant socks, and I'm using up stash crocheting a giant blanket-y thing. I'm finishing up a few projects, considering getting my taxes done and threatening to clean my room. I've got "Heart and Soul" down pat on the Ukulele and excited about the worship band I'm priveleged to be a part of, and I've been studying 1st Peter for a class on Inductive Bible Study, and preparing for our upcoming women's retreat. I have a very demanding sourdough starter hiding in the back of my fridge that insists on keeping me busy making my own crackers (actual attempts at sourdough bread were futile)... so I'm not lacking for things to do. I keep thinking, however, that there's somthing I'm forgetting to do.

Let's see..I've let a few things slide (by choice) like not worrying so much about the mess the kids live in (they will disagree, of course) and I can't recall the last time I spent more than 15 minutes in the laundry room but that's not really a problem 'cause there was a sock and underwear sale at Kohl's awhile back and I'm good for at least a couple of months yet. I've been getting to work on time (not early) and leaving on time (not late) and spending time with Jesus, my kids, the dog, cat, friends... so what in the world am I forgetting to do?

Oh. yeah.

I've been forgetting to be stressed out. And worry about things I have no control over. And I've been forgetting to review my list of unrealistic expectations I have for myself, and I've forgotten to get upset over little things and even some big things and I believe I've even forgotten to be angry, bitter, resentful, unforgiving and afraid for the future....

I don't know for sure how I let all this slip by me. It's certainly not something I intended to do... just sort of snuck up on me. I guess I'd better make time to get back on track... get back to the way I'm used to living...

Actually, maybe I'll just go get some ice cream and park somewhere before going home so I can spend some time being thankful for a few of the little things, and a bunch of the big things... and enjoy being loved more than I can possibly imagine and certainly more than I deserve. I think I can make time for that.

good things...

2009-02-09T01:19:00.002-06:00

* connecting with long lost friends...
* being encouraged by new friends...
* lemon cheesecake...
* finally being truly free to sing out loud...
* on-line ukelele lessons...
* two days in a row that were not hovering between 10 above and 10 below...
* ignoring laundry piles that are already two weeks old...
* Sunday afternoon naps...
* surprisingly warm red pashmina Christmas-gifty scarf...
* tickets to Celtic Women on 2/14 in Milwaukee with good friends...
* finding a first edition "Giant Horse of Oz"...and having enough sense to look at the price tag before whipping out the checkbook, thereby avoiding extreme guilt and 2 weeks of mac and cheese...
* being truly happy for your friend who is right now sitting on a warm tropical beach, soaking up the pina colada's and probably already on her second book...
* forgiveness...
* dog and daughter snoring competitions...
* sourdough bread rising in stoneware loaf pans on the kitchen counter...
* knowing who to thank for all of this...

...it's all good. All good...

cold. very, very cold

2008-12-15T23:37:00.005-06:00

I've lived in Wisconsin for just about 20 years now... and although I am no longer wearing 20 layers just to get from the house to the car, I've never quite gotten used to sub zero weather. Pacific Northwest winters are considerably less dangerous. I cannot recall ever once worrying about body parts freezing and falling off while waiting for the school bus. I can recall, however, the entire city shutting down for 2" of snow. Bah-hahahah... 2".

I like snow. Always have. I don't mind shoveling, sledding is fun, I'm learning to cross country ski, and snowmen rock. It's when the chill goes all the way to the bone, and all the sweaters, scarves and mugs of cocoa can't make it go away that I get a wee bit whiny. If it weren't for work, and the need for food, I'd just as soon hunker down in a pile of flannel and bunny slippers and wait for Spring.

The upside of winter? Christmas, of course. The tree is finally up... loaded down with lots of memories. Cookie baking is still in the planning stages. Shopping will happen on Christmas Eve, probably not before... but, so what else is new? And there is lots of singing... and fiddling! If you happen to be near Oconomowoc, WI on Saturday, Dec 20th, stop by the Irish Pub for a Christmas Carol sing-a-long. My first real fiddling "gig" other than having my arm twisted for our church's Harvest Festival/mission trip fundraiser concert last year... which was a blast, by the way (just in case the arm-twister is reading this...) Actually, after spending most of my life tied to notes on a classically written page, being set free to play my violin is huge. (Thank you, my wonderful Father in Heaven for the gift of music! To listen and to play is truly a joy and privilege!) So if you venture out in the cold this Saturday, and happen to stop in at the pub for a pint o'cheer and a listen, or just to come in out of the cold... I'll be the one in the bunny slippers.

Harvest.

2008-10-05T00:29:00.002-05:00

I had to cover plants in my little garden last night, to save late growth tomatos and herbs from dying in the first frost. Last year, I never harvested any of the herbs I'd planted - no energy, still recovering from surgery, lazy... can't remember which excuse I ended up using. This year, so far... I have the lavender for potpourri, apple mint and lemon balm harvested and either dry or drying. I'll finish the rest tomorrow, but I haven't decided if I'm harvesting all of it or repotting it and bringing it in for the winter, to see if I can keep it growing. Probably the former. I'll have lemon grass, stevia, chamomile and lemon mint for tea. For cooking - regular and garlic chives, 2 basils, and cooking lavender. I'll probably repot the cuban oregano and german basil (ornamentals) and the Bay Laurels. I'm afraid I will end up picking green tomatos and missing out on whatever the late blossoms might have borne. The tomatos had a last minute explosion of growth, producing a tremendous number of blossoms. Too bad it's getting cold already. And it's too bad my mom isn't around to hear me go on and on about MY garden... she was NEVER able to get me out into hers. I don't know... it could have been the banana slugs, or the foot long night crawlers, or the immense spiders. Or the walking sticks, or massive amounts of ladybugs she purchased to trouble the massive amounts of aphids she'd battle every year...or it could have been the fact that I was a completely selfish, self-centered child who -no,wait. It was the slugs. Yep. It was definitely the slugs. Sorry, mom. I enjoyed the fruit of your labor, tho - apple pies made from a single 7lb apple - Gravenstein - from dwarf tree in the middle of the garden. Tomatos, lettuce, carrots, celery, plums, green beans, sugar snap peas... I still have your little red courderoy zip front gardening jacket...the one with the deep pockets and 3/4 length sleeves. Of course, it never did fit me... too big when I was young, much to small now... but the memory of you leaning on a rake, holding a bunch of radishes, gardening gloves tucked into the left pocket of your jacket...trying to coax me out of the house and out into the sun and dirt...what I wouldn't give now to have even five minutes with you, slugs and all. Funny, the things you remember. I could get sappy now, and talk about harvesting memories, or planting seeds of faith, or something goofy like that. But I won't. I will look through the pile of photos, find my favorite one of you and have it sitting by me on the table as I drink lemongrass tea, keeping the best memories to myself.

so...

2008-10-04T17:51:00.010-05:00

tell me if this sounds familiar...
I walk into my lys to buy two skeins of black wool to make another felted bowler, absolutely promising myself that this time that I will truly walk out with only what I came in for. Then I brush past something amazing... happens to be a creamy cashmere scarf - advertising for the skeins hanging coquettishly nearby. I touch and drool, but cannot justify $35 a skein. "Aw, c'mon", little Shoulder Devil prods, poking furiously with a lovely pair of Lantern Moon's finest size 3's. "Just one skein. You could get a nice set of wrist warmers out of this".

I waver, but little Shoulder Angel silences temptation by knocking her opponent on her tush with a quick toss of a well place halo and a long list of upcoming bills.

Temporarily saved, I wander a little further down the aisle... and discover a pile of Blue Sky Alpaca Royal in the lovely shade of "Seaglass". Hmmm. Nice. I can already see the scarf it's meant to be...but wait. It's how much? MORE than the cashmere...?

My shoulder buddies fight for position as I go through the ritual - touch, drool, put it back, circle the store, look longingly at alpaca, circle twice more, wander by the cashmere again, consider and compare cost-per-yardage, circle, wander, circle again... then quickly grab not one but TWO skeins of limited edition blue-green yummy and head for the check out.

Yup. Two skeins...

As Shoulder Devil pins the list of bills to my head with the size 3's in triumph, Shoulder Angel heads back to the office to clean off her halo and ask for a raise... "Do NOT ask me to do guard duty on a Sunday afternoon just after payday ever again. You KNOW I never win these things..."

Neither do I, my friend. Neither do I...

If I could be anywhere this Sunday...

2008-08-15T11:02:00.001-05:00

... it would be here.
(follow Mr. Pointy Hand for insight into my deep seated personality issues.)

happy somewhere near the end of summer...

2008-08-13T21:14:00.006-05:00

Still alive. Currently knitting: BYOB, a striped linen stitch rug, and catching up on UFO's...of course, by "catching up" I mean "leaving partially finished projects lying around in assorted baskets and bags in places where I might occasionally find myself sitting still for two minutes and knocking off a couple of rows before running off to something more pressing"...you get the picture.

I have also been gardening, working, making over my bedroom, hanging out with kids, going places with friends, singing at church, kayaking (twice - bum shoulder), road trips with the Princess, chasing the dog around with ear and eye drops... and wondering where the summer has gone off to...not that we've had much of a summer, with all the flooding and wet weather. (Gosh! It's almost like Winter in Seattle!) What we've lacked in actual visible sunshine, we've made up for in heat and humidity. (Gosh! It's exactly like Summer in Wisconsin!) I really can't complain all that much, tho. Makes for amazing rainbows. I've seen at least one rainbow a day for the last month and a half... not too shabby!

Knitting notes: I've already screwed up the BYOB. That's what I get for looking at rainbows instead of pattern notes... my ADD riddled brain added several more rounds, confusing the Main color with Contrasting Color 1... so I'll have a deeper bag, which may or may not work out. I'll let you know. Do you like the Navy (no, it's not black- bad camera! bad camera!), Lime and White Combo? Seems a little preppy for me, but I lean slightly to the preppy side, so no problem.

And below is the linen stitch rug-to-be, resting in it's intended environment... color combo inspired by the Princess's bathroom re-dux...

I guess we're going through a blue and green phase.

Speaking of the princess, she is hovering. I guess my computer time is up. I'll see if I can blog at least once more before Winter starts...

hugs!

Puggy

happy first days of Summer!

2008-06-17T22:54:00.002-05:00

take me to the river...

2008-05-27T08:00:00.003-05:00

See.
See rack.
See Puggy.
See Puggy dance.
Dance, Puggy, dance.
Puggy is happy.
Happy, happy, happy.

(happy...)

joyful noise

2008-05-02T19:51:00.005-05:00

Thank you, Kyle.

It's May Day!

2008-05-02T00:03:00.013-05:00

Does that mean anything to anyone under 40?
I loved May Day when I was young. We made cone shaped baskets out of construction paper, decorated them with cut outs or crayons, added a handle and wild flowers and dandelions snarked from the neighbor's lawns or wild sweet peas that grew profusely on a vacant lot not too far from our house. The fun part was sneaking up to the neighbors house, hanging the basket on the door knob, and knocking or ringing the bell and running away as fast as possible. Of course, that was in Seattle, where there actually were flowers in full bloom around the first of May. Wisconsin? Sadly bereft of prolific wild sweet peas and vacant lots to pick them from. I do have tulips on my desk at work. Lovely, but it was kinda weird sneaking up on myself...
yeah, yeah... I know I've been gone a long time. I've been recuperating, cleaning house, knitting, studying, changing habits, deciding to be careful of how I spend my time... trying to focus on essentials and keep it all as pure and simple as possible. Here are some knitting pics to prove I am still at it...
a scrappy flappy hat...
a happy flappy hat...

... and apparently that's all the photos I can add right now, so I will leave you with two goofy hats, some lovely May Day tulips and the promise of more knitting and/or pug pics later. Not exactly a May Day basket, but it is Wisconsin, and I don't run as fast as I used to...
hugs!
puggy

hi

2007-12-09T00:51:00.001-06:00

whew.

been busy.

Oh, you know... work, battling various ailments, kids/school/sports/kids, more work, a little bit o' holiday shopping and decorating..knitting in-between... (finished TWO versions of "Urchin"...)

BUT... not a lot of blogging. Most of my computer time (when I could pry my younglings off the keyboard) was spent mapquesting assorted sport-related destinations or clearing out useless e-mail and spam during my break at work. Other than that... the last few months are pretty much a blur...

Lost the soccer mom van.

Bought a little black car.

I think I had another birthday.

Helped fly the Crown Prince out to Seattle and back.

Enjoyed a fine holiday meal...Thanksgiving was delish - thanks to the Princess and the Jester's menu planning. (Macaroni n' cheese and hot dogs - not just for breakfast any more...)

Decided 6 months of being completely gray was enough.

Bought some sensible shoes.

Switched the dog's food over from slightly-more-expensive-but-common dry stuff to rediculously-expensive-yet-supposedly-much-healthier organic dry stuff.

Welcomed two semi-permanent house guests (1 short-haired human, 1 long-haired feline).

Bought a lint brush.

Shoveled snow.

Shoveled more snow.

Discovered that small black cars are really low to the ground.

Discovered that following the tracks of the car in front of you does not guaranty actual forward mobility when there is more than 2" of snow on the ground and you happen to own a small black car.

Decided to carry the snow shovel in the small black car until Spring.

Started "Branching Out".

Indulged a moody Jester and bought the white fake Christmas tree he's always wanted and let him decorate it with seizure-inducing blinking lights.

Indulged a moody Princess by promising to hike in somewhere deep and cut a real tree next year.

Remembered small black car.

Began praying for a snow-free 2008 holiday season.

Baked and decorated 8 dozen gingerbread peoples.

Stood in awe 1 day later at the 2 remaining gingerbread peoples left on the plate.

Heard through the grapevine that the Jester and 1 or possibly 2 friends ate not only the gb peoples, but also finished off an entire bucket o' ice cream and a very large cheesecake belonging to the Crown Prince...which had travelled from Seattle the night before, nestled deep in the CP's suitcase and was only missing a couple of small slices, pre-Jester n' Co. .

Called Seattle and requested recipe for very large cheesecake.

Informed the Jester that his next meager fast-food pay check would go toward purchasing cheesecake ingredients.

Had two extra cups of coffee.

Bought cards and stamps.

Decided to forgo Christmas cards this year to avoid having to explain yet another name change...

Bought funny hats with elf ears on them for St. Nick's.

Began warning royal family that family pictures with funny elf-ear'd hats would be expected.

Poured another cup of coffee and enjoyed the silence as royal family members looked for places to hide funny hats.

Decided to take a nap so I could stay up late and try to blog at least once more before the end of the year.

Had yet another cup of coffee.

happy holidays, everyone.

May you find joy in every moment and Jesus in your heart!

- puggy

the TAO of Puggy...

2007-10-25T07:24:00.000-05:00

TRUST AND OBEY

Are you overcome with fear, dread or anxiety over something that is happening in your life? Have you been blindsided by something you didn’t expect to happen? Are you feeling like you’ve been abandoned, that God is nowhere to be found? Feeling hopeless and looking for a rock to crawl under…?
STOP, take a deep breath and stand still for one second…then do the following:

1. Ask yourself: “What is true?”
Ask God to show you what is true about the situation…and expect Him to tell you.
Usually, finding out the truth about something exposes the lies you have believed. When the lies are exposed, repent of them immediately and run as fast as you can to the truth – and stay there. Remind yourself what you already know to be true…
· God was, is and always will be in control.
· God has a plan for your life, and for the lives of your loved ones.
· If He’s allowed something uncomfortable or painful to touch your life, know that it’s for your good and for His glory.
· You will learn to know Him better because of this.

2. Ask your Heavenly Father: “What do you require of me in this situation?”
When He tells you what He requires of you…don’t argue. Just do it.

Some promises to hold on to:

IS 43:1
“Fear not…for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.”

HEB 13:5
“I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.”

PS 32:8
“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”

IS 26:3
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

PS 29:10
“The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, and the LORD sits as KING forever.”

There are so many promises and so much truth that you can stand upon. Grab hold of His word and let it sink into your heart and mind. You can take him at His word, and you can quiet your heart and mind in the middle of chaos. The one who stilled the storm is in the boat with you.

Why, thanks, ELLEN. What a good Idea...!

2007-09-29T22:35:00.000-05:00

look what I found... ~!!! Of course, they're not on as grand a scale as some people's... but they just might do for now.

but this is even cooler...

2007-09-27T16:10:00.000-05:00

the greatest love song I know...

how cool is this...

2007-09-18T01:02:00.000-05:00

Ravelry.

two arms! two arms!

2007-09-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

So, I'm thinking of impending Autumn, can never find gloves that fit my hands comfortably... and my arms get cold like crazy, but I don't really like scratchy wool things...(my apologies to knitting purists everywhere...) and I just happen to wander into Knitch and just happen to come upon some lovely Blue Sky Cotton in a wonderful Autumn-y brown*... et voila!

Yet another project on the needles...

Wrist warmers, fingerless gloves... call them whatever you will.

They are arm socks.

Passion... obsession... whatever. (sigh!) At least my arms are warm and my fingers free to start something else...

* I believe the color is "Toffee 623".

Approaching Autumn...

2007-08-26T14:18:00.000-05:00

Check out Ellen's pumpkin-in-progress... think I might just have to knit me one of those...Which gets me to thinking 'bout decorating for Fall.
Per comments and conversations of late, I've noted that as I get older...both in life and faith... I am not as enamored with Halloween as I once was. I no longer enjoy celebrating it as a "holiday", and feel uncomfortable putting up specifically "halloweeny" decorations. I have a small collection of Victorian and turn-of-the-century-style items (original and reproductions), and enjoy the lithography. I also love anything by Mary Engelbreit and I like alot of Martha Stewart's crafty ideas - especially her pumpkin carving stuff. However, I have been moving toward a more seasonal theme - pumpkins, leaves, vines, Fall-colored candles and warm scents... and more of a natural look rather than cutesy.
Which brings me to another Halloween-related point... costumes. Ellen mentioned that she really likes children's costumes. I have some terrible memories of plastic masks with snappy, very breakable elastic and VERY small slits for eyes, nostrils and mouths... it's a wonder I ever made it across the street! My personal favorite childhood costume was a home-made Gypsy outfit - my first foray into the wearing of excessive amounts of jewelry. As an adult? Pirate Wench. Sorry - I'm not legally allowed to comment about that. So...what was your most favoritist costume ever? Hmmmm....?

Passion vs Obsession...

2007-08-21T18:33:00.000-05:00

Wow. Thanks to comments from " ...by what we give. " I have officially been given permission to go off the deep end. In gracious response to my request for prayer due to fear of a looming obsession after having finished my first official pair of socks and immediately beginning the next pair...
Tamara said...
"Fear not! It's not obsession, it's passion. If there were no passionate people in this world, then nothing would get accomplished. At least that's what I say when I walk in the house with Yet More Yarn:) "

Oh. Oh d-d-d-dear, dear! I am truly teetering here... must... find... balance...

must...balance...

...must balance my checkbook and make sure I have enough money for that lovely new sock fiber I saw last time I was at Knitch. (Whew. Glad that's over.)

Passion. It's passion, people. Obsession is simply an over-priced fragrance.

New knitting blog reads...

2007-08-18T08:14:00.000-05:00

Holli Yeoh Knits : knitwear designer from Vancouver, BC.
MelissaKnits : teacher/designer from Massachusetts.
MelonHead Knitwear : creative headwear for the nogginly challenged. Fun designs, also from Vancouver, BC.
Wise Hilda Knits : yet another Canadian knitwear designer... can we spot the running theme here...?
and my very own LYS - Knitch.

One Sock, Two Sock...

2007-08-17T17:37:00.000-05:00

Red sock...

hmmm...the knitting shop told me there would most assuredly be enough fiber to finish... I'm hoping they meant both socks!

Voila! Ruby Ribby Short Socks

Now... what to do with the small amount of leftover lovely red silk alpaca?

Why, cast on for a...

BLUE SOCK!! (of course!)

Obsession. It's not for the faint of heart.

Your prayers will be greatly appreciated...

Ooooo...This looks interesting...2!

2007-08-15T16:44:00.000-05:00

Anuna... Celtic Origins - Milwaukee, WI November 2.

sometimes when you look up old friends...

2007-08-13T19:55:00.000-05:00

you get blessed. Or you buy their CD, whichever comes first...

Ooooo...This looks interesting...

2007-08-04T22:55:00.001-05:00

Stardust

a love letter to my kids

2007-08-04T19:59:00.000-05:00

I can love you with a mother's love, and that's huge. But there is someone who loves you even more...

"The Lord grants sleep to those He loves..."

2007-07-31T19:35:00.000-05:00

He must love me a lot 'cause I've been sleeping pretty much since last Friday morning. Resting up after having a couple of parts removed and a few major structural repairs. Ah, the joys of menopause are fast upon me, and I would appreciate advice on coping with ze dreaded hot flash... so far I've got fish oil and flax on the top of my list. Hormone patches are ready if I absolutely feel the need, but I'd prefer to proceed as naturally as possible. Any thoughts?
Let's see... the freezer's full, the pug's taken care of, and I've managed to find a semi-comfortable position that enables me to knock off a few rows of knitting whenever I get the urge...so it's back to the pillow for me.
I will leave you with a lovely picture to ponder...

Fine. I'll try a sock already...sheesh! Just don't look at my feet.

2007-07-13T00:14:00.000-05:00

There are so many pictures of socks out there in knitting blog land.
Socks on the needles, socks on feet, socks on needles on feet, socks on nifty wooden sock-blocker thingies...
I am not entirely unimpressed by the variety of fibers, colors, patterns and styles available to the adventurous hand knitter. There are many beautifully and skillfully wrought object d'footwear out there for your knitwear viewing pleasure.

But I buy socks at Kohl's on sale maybe once a year. And it really has to be an excellent sale.
I have white socks, black socks, and a few "sock monkey" socks for my winter boot-wearing comfort. I am a simple girl.

So, when I sort of snuck into my bedroom and slyly picked up the #5 double points* (looking out of the corner of my eye, just in case someone might be watching) and then the big ball of white kitchen cotton**, a notebook and my copy of "Knitting Rules"...FULLY intending to simply have something to appear to be doing whilst watching "The Lake House" for the 400th time when I should be doing laundry... I only really meant to just see if I could turn a heel. Really really. And I promised myself I wouldn't take a picture of it, because - well - it's dorky and I have major issues about anybody looking at my feet. I SWORE I wouldn't.

So, ok. Maybe just one. But I won't post it.

So, I lied.
And then I went out and bought sock yarn, #0 and # 1 double points and got down to it.
I am not obsessed and never will be. I just figured I need a little color (um, that would be "ruby 123") in my sock drawer.

* Yes, #5 double points. Larger needles, less irritation for the uninitiated sock knitter...
**Yes, kitchen cotton. The stuff you make dishcloths out of. Low risk factor, easier on the eyes and wallet... for training purposes.

dog days of summer...

2007-07-12T23:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Fourth of July!

2007-07-04T18:20:00.000-05:00

My Dad's favorite (lame) joke?

Dad: "Does England have a Fourth of July?"
Normal childlike response: "No, of course not!"
Dad: "Well, then what comes between the 3rd and the 5th?"

Ah... Summer.
Dad was the only one I could trust to set off fireworks within a 10-mile radius of wherever I might be sitting.
He made the best grilled hamburgers in the universe. Mom's homegrown (read: gigantenormous) tomatoes and lettuce from the garden made the burnt parts palatable, almost unnoticeable. Add tossed salad with cherry tomatoes, black olives, hard-boiled eggs and a light dressing, or maybe homemade potato salad, with a huge glass of lemonade and oatmeal cookies or strawberry shortcake for dessert...and you've got the makings of a most excellent childhood memory.
Add barefeet, fresh cut grass, squeaky swingsets, folding chairs with plastic woven webbing, blue sky with wispy white clouds, the humm of an occasional high flying plane...and the promise of pyrotechnics galore, to begin slightly after dusk. That, my friend, is the Fourth of July.

I was allowed to handle sparklers. And sometimes, Dad would let me light my own "Black Snakes", which he made us set on a brick so it wouldn't stain the patio. Whistling Petes, Log Cabins, Roman Candles, multi-colored fountains... I was content to let Daddy handle the "real" fireworks. I loved watching him light them, bending over dangerously close to the fuse. I would sit in my folding chair, holding my breath, afraid he might not get away before it went off, expecting something to tip over and catch the grass on fire....which, of course never happened. But it could have, you know.

The first time I ever saw "real" fireworks? Two or three years old, on my Dad's lap, his arms wrapped tightly around me as we sat perched on the very top of his wobbly wooden work ladder in the front yard. The city display was just visible above the trees in our neighbors backyard, across the street. I was not afraid, not for one second. To this day, I can still smell Old Spice and feel his arms wrapped around me as I sit silently in awe with every burst of color, every twinkling ember falling silently to the ground. Each explosion is muffled by the memory of my Dad's warm voice, his gentle heartbeat, each quiet "ooh" or "awe" that he spoke for both of us.

Tonight, I'm taking the Court Jester and his friend to a nearby community's fireworks display. The Princess and I sat at the lakefront of our own town's display last Friday. I'm pretty sure we had the best seats in the place, even though the beach was crowded and we arrived late. Tonight, we'll find the best seats in the place again. My daughter pointed out that probably everyone thinks they've had the best seat of all, no matter where they were sitting. All you have to do is sit down, look up and keep your eyes open and you've got the best seat. Of course, at the time, I agreed with her. But now that I think of it, I believe I've had the best seat in the place only once in my life...
mmmm (boom!).... can't you just smell the Old Spice?
Happy Fourth of July, Daddy.

Pink Martini alert...!

2007-06-03T22:03:00.000-05:00

Pink Martini has a new CD... "Hey Eugene" is on it's way to my house as we speak. Check out their website and click on a tasty sample...love the Pink Martini!

Puggy's Prayer Journal - new entry and changes

2007-05-18T20:37:00.002-05:00

I've just added "comment-ability" at the Prayer Journal (see link at right). You have to scroll WAY down to the bottom to leave one, so it's a little inconvenient until I come up with something better. Sorry.
If you've never visited the journal, I invite you to stop by, view earlier entries... there is even a hymn I wrote, if you page down a bit... and leave a comment or two. Sometimes I think I'm the only one going through something, so it's nice to know others are blessed or can offer encouragement. I don't get into situational specifics, because then I'd have to name names and explain WAY too much and there could be unsightly legal ramifications... so I...well, I guess you'll just have to check it out for yourself. You'll get the picture.

we look angelic, no...?

2007-05-18T19:54:00.001-05:00

no.

we are attempting the "puggy-pout-with-halo-effect" in hopes of drawing mom's attention away from the fact that we've left puddles in every corner of the kitchen.... yet again. (sigh.)

Oh, well. Cuteness is as Cuteness does, I guess. Excuse me while I go find the mop...

when pugs fly...

2007-03-25T22:34:00.000-05:00

still life with sushi...

2007-03-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

simply irresistible...

2007-03-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

Velvet Plum... fun with Mohair

2007-03-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

Velvet Plum...mmmmm. Originally, (oh, let's say somewhere back in October of '05...) I'd planned on creating something out of one skein (considering the cost) and put out a general cry for help. As helpful as your suggestions were, and as hard as I continued to search, no adequate inspiration was to be found... until I landed on a certain page in a certain Vogue Knitting episode... (someday, I'll add actual location info) and saw what appeared to be a blue fishing net being passed off as evening wear. Although the end product was unseemly and it was unlikely I'd ever consider knitting evening wear out of rope, the process - a simple net stitch - just might do the trick. End result?

I'm not a huge mohair fan. It's nigh unto impossible to frog if you screw up or lose count, and its soft and fluffy demeanor is deceiving. I can't wear it unless there is something in between to save me from the itch and tickle. But it IS fun to prance about in...

Or hide in, as the case may be.
Oh, by the way... I'm still out here, knitting as often as possible, playing with the pug, trying to decide if it's worth my time to attempt container gardening this summer, and hoping it's really just the water pump that's going out on the royal coach. I'd much rather spend my cash on stash.

my best birthday ever...

2006-11-20T18:43:00.000-06:00

with love from the Court Jester... a song with no name, just for me!
click on the link below... and enjoy !

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=130863597

Introducing: Ace the Annoying, Dark Dog of Disruption

2006-10-31T06:40:00.000-06:00

Woof! Guess who's mom got a camera this weekend...!

The blog before the storm... ( I mean pattern)...

2006-10-04T01:09:00.000-05:00

sorry, all those who hate meme's... I couldn't resist. (Blame her and apparently her...)

My 10 Names Meme
1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: ( pet and current street name) ok, let’s see which one works best: Suishi Concord, Ace Concord, Bella Concord…BELLA CONCORD! (Bella Beta is my Christmas fish, a present from the Crown Prince). Though, that's not really a "Rock Star" kind of name. "Ace Concord" is, I suppose, most "rock-like", but it sounds too much like I'd have to wear spandex and face paint...which I won't. You can't make me.)

2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME: (grandfather/grandmother on your moms side, your favorite candy) Thanks to two moms (birth mom and life mom) I shall be either (say “eye-the”) Helen Heath, or Dorothy Necco-Wafer.

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of last name, first three letters of your middle name) M. KAY. ("Do your chain hang low...?)

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Llama. (Chills the blood, n'est ce pas?…so very noir...)

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Kay Seattle. (um...no. I’m afraid I’d land in a coma for at least 2 seasons…)

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 2 letters of mom’s maiden name and first 3 letters of the town you grew up in.) Monkiharen… (sounds like “monkey harem” … snicker...)

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The”, your favorite color, favorite drink) The Red Cappuccino. (“More powerful than a Grande Soy Chai Latte, No Water…”)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of both your grandfathers) Jack Shorty. Or Shorty Jack. ("He could have been a great driver, if only he could have reached the pedals...)

9. FUTURISTIC NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne and the name of your favorite shoes) Rush Ann Klein. (so, what are you saying? I’ll be a hurried Jew in my next life…? oy vey...if that' s the future, who needs it...?)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother/father’s middle name ) Marilyn Charles. (oooooh! I like that one… I may start using that next week…not, uh... that I need to, for any reason...that anyone knows of...)

puggy shruggy!

2006-09-14T01:53:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Ellen, for the prompt to post, and for your lovely interpretation of my goofy directions (which will be posted shortly).
Thank you, Mrs. Brooks, for taking the pictures.

hitting the links...

2006-08-08T00:40:00.000-05:00

No. Puggy does not golf. Not, at least, in the way most people think of golfing. I can hit it straight down the fairway... and I do mean STRAIGHT... (comes from being somewhat of a perfectionist and slightly afraid of insect/reptillian critters that live in the woods or large clumps of grass...) but it takes me at least 5 times as many shots to get to the hole. I will caddy for chocolate, tho.

What I mean to say is that I've been cleaning up some of the links on the side bar, and a few on the "links only" page (see right, somewhere... click any link that says "find more bloggy, (or knitty or puggy or crafty) links here..."

I've restored the link to my old blog, which got wiped out when the fish moved in. I liked my old blog for some of the writing, and for some of the pictures... and it was my first blogging attempt...and my favorite kayaking trip ever is recorded there... as well as my humble opinion on "prayer shawls", notes on being "Gideoned" and thoughts on a couple of other things that are really only important to me. But for whatever reason, Blogger seems to be easier (for me, at least) to work with. I'm SURE there are many other blogging places to go, and I'm sure everyone has their favorite, but for now, I'm comfortable here.

I was also going to add another free pattern of my own design - a lovely lace scarf in pink Misty Alpaca - this evening, but I got distracted and now it's late, and I need to rest up for Stitches Midwest... at least for the bus ride. I don't want to get caught napping with my mouth open, like the Princess did this morning. She called me at work to inform me that she'd dreamed (sp?) about choking on something, only to wake up and find it was a rather large spider. (shudder!) She also dreamed that the Pug was the "Ruler of the World" and forced the Crown Prince and the Court Jester to drive tractors over large skate-board-park style jumps (to their demise, apparantly) to prove his superiority. (SHUDDER!) We haven't decided which was the worst nightmare... spiders in your mouth, or pugs ruling the world....or boys on tractors...or...well, you get the picture.
Happy knitting, or golfing, or tractor jumping, or whatever makes you happy today... just don't get caught with your mouth open.
hugs!
-puggy

puggy's back...

2006-08-01T05:20:00.000-05:00

New computer, up and running. New job, still overwhelming, but under control enough for me to allow myself to lose a little sleep setting up the new computer and blogging a little.
Re-arranged the bedroom in order to set up the computer. Found knitting projects in process... the one's I'd brought up to finish before Summer's over.
Let's see.. yup. There is the pair of hideous orange/yellow/green tube socks that the Princess ordered a couple of years ago... must finish the last sock and move it out of the bag. The double-points keep poking me every time I stick my hand in there.
Oh, yeah. There is a very large over-sized sea-green blanket done almost entirely in stockinette with a garter stitch border...started a very long time ago on very large needles before I had any sense whatsoever...
and...ok, there is another basic-skull-cap-in-progress for the Jester's skateboarding wardrobe... and, oh - looky here... a yellow cardigan with two sleeves on the needles at the same time. That's actually worth looking at, but not until I can dig out the Ann Bud book and figure out where I left off in the pattern I was creating. I think I'm doing a picot edge on the sleeve, and it appears I'm ready to attach something to something else and continue on from there...hmmm.
I spy some sock yarn...that' will have to wait a while... and some quiviut, and some silk, and some very soft chocolate Alpaca - just enough for a small scarf or hat...
I'm trying to find something to drag with me on the bus to Stitches Midwest in a couple of weeks, so that means bringing something that won't require too much attention... I really am planning on just listening to everyone else's conversations, and checking out everyone' else projects...but it will appear less creepy if I have a project of my own that I appear to be working on, whether I really am or not.
I'm really only going to see "Sweet Annie" to pick up the yarn package for the pattern I bought from her at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival last September. I bought the pattern ONLY, thinking (foolishly) that I would be able to substitute other (less expensive) yarns for the ones she was selling in the kit that went with the pattern... beautifully colored yarn with handmade buttons to match the incredible colors of the beautifully colored yarn... but it was not to be. Her hand-spun, hand-dyed beautifulness is the only fiber for this project. So I must to humble myself and shell out the big bucks. But it will be worth it. If I'm going to spend a big chunk of time making something out of string, it might as well be quality string and result in something I will actually be proud to wear in public.

hi!

2006-03-11T14:51:00.000-06:00

I'm unpacked. No old knitting paraphenalia stashed in unexpected places so.... I'm off to find a new place to get my yarn fix. If you live in or near the Oconomowoc/Waukesha/Milwaukee area, please be kind and clue me in on where to head next! I'd love to have a whole day and a full tank just to ride around and follow my knitting radar, but if someone could help me out... I so very much don't like to wast time...Please tell me which direction I might find something worthwhile...!!! Anything? Anybody....? (whimper...) I'm almost tempted to start ordering stuff on-line... but it's just not the same! I need to feel the stuff, to imaging it worked up into something fabulous before I can justify spending my hard earned cash... know what I mean?
I suppose I'll just have to settle for finishing old projects in the meantime...
hugs!
puggy
PS - like the fish? pretty cool, huh...!

um...yeah. thanks.

2006-02-23T17:01:00.000-06:00

I am still alive. I have not been knitting. I am working, but unable to spend my newly earned moola on knitting paraphenalia as the KNITTING ARK closed it's doors in December...(sob!)
AMLTH and I tried to talk her into selling the business to us, but to no avail, and no real reason why... oh well. Guess I'll just have to go elsewhere...
I've been WAY TOO busy, and I can't really say why except to say that, in addition to starting a new very hectic job, I've also relocated (living quarters, not blog-sites) and that moving always sucks.
The good thing is... now I have to make good on my promise to myself to go through all the boxes of junk from the basement that I hauled with me the last time I moved.
The bad thing is... that sounds an awful lot like an old New Year's resolution... which, of course, I never make.
The good thing is... I might find more old knitting paraphenalia I've stashed away...
The bad thing is... I still don't have a stupid camera, so even if I'd been knitting, or find old stuff and start knitting again, you'll never get to see it in progress...
Oh wait... I have money now! I CAN BUY MY OWN CAMERA instead of waiting for it to show up as a birthday present....so that's a good thing!
It's nice to end with a good thing, isn't it...!
Happy knitting! Hug a pug for me...!
puggy

Thanks MUCHO MUCHO!!!

2006-01-10T11:01:00.000-06:00

Puggy is once again a working girl....WAHOO!!! Now I can spend my early mornings and late evenings getting back to knitting projects instead of perusing job search engines and pinching pennies... well, of course, that is after devotions, and chores, and cooking, and laundry, and spending time with the royal family and... oh. Um. Uhhh...ummm...
ok,wait. Let me think about this...

Well...ok, Yes. Yes, this is a good thing. More money for knitting projects I'll never be able to finish...WAHOO!!!

It's all in your perspective, my friend. And there's always time for knitting...
hugs,
puggy

Puggy prayer request...

2006-01-10T06:32:00.000-06:00

Pray for Puggy this morning. She has a SECOND interview for a very cool job this morning that she REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wants...
THANKS MUCHO!!!
pk

happy NEW year...!!!

2006-01-01T20:05:00.000-06:00

Whenever the "HeartCard of the Week" and the "Verse of the Day" are identical (which they are today), I am compelled to stop and consider the message more intently than at other times... not that the messages aren't always helpful, profound, or inspiring.... I guess it's the "coincedence" that catches my breath and gets my heart ready to receive something special, or to be alert to something that I really need to consider or change. The effect is multiplied exponentially when combined with the same verse occuring in that particular day's devotions or in the morning's sermon...

Today's Verse:
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come." (2 Cor 5:17)

I'm almost sure this verse was chosen by both message originators to be positive reminders of the hope that is often rekindled at the beginning of every new year. It's the time people make (or re-make) resolutions, vowing to improve this or change that... vows combined with admonitions to self to try harder this time, or attempts to sweep the prior years failures under the rug... once again.
Some cynics say they don't bother with resolutions. A gross waste of time, resolving to do something. Either do it, or don't. I probably lean more towards the cynical, I'm afraid. I've purchased more day-timers, more calendars, more packs of sticky-notes for bathroom mirror reminders, more motivational tapes, books, etc than I am comfortable admitting... and I still have pounds to lose, closets to clean and goals and objectives left unreached. Although I have accomplished quite a few semi-remarkable tasks in my lifetime, I can honestly say none of them began as New Year's Resolutions.
The promise in 2 Cor 5:17 does offer hope, but it really isn't one of hope for future change. It really isn't even a promise at all... it is a statement of fact.
For anyone "in Christ", he IS a new creation; the old IS gone, the new HAS come.
That's a very strong statement, don't you think?
I know, I know.... so why then do I seem to struggle with the same old junk? Why do I feel like I am not moving forward, not accomplishing anything, not living the life (inner or outer) that I had hoped I'd be living? I don't feel like a new creation...
Ok then, why?
I understand that, from a spiritual perspective, I am saved AND I am in the process of being saved (sanctified)... God's perspective is eternal, and mine is temporal, so I am only privvy to the process, not the end result... but if it is a fact that I am a new creation, why do I feel like nothing has changed all that much?
I suspect the key to fully understanding this fact-wrapped-in-a-promise may be found in the phrase, "in Christ".... which is where I'm ending this post.
I am leaving you with a question and a challenge for the new year... Ask yourself this question:

"What does it mean to be "in Christ"?"

Ponder privately or share your thoughts with me... but take some time to think about it.
And for those who like to make resolutions, if you resolve to do nothing else this year, resolve to know Christ, to know what it means to be "in" Him, and to allow him to make his promise - and fact - a reality in your life. It may be the most important resolution you ever make.

happy new year.
puggy.

Hey... here's a thought...

2005-12-21T08:18:00.000-06:00

It's almost Christmas. Most (if not all) of the presents have been bought and wrapped - OR NOT...
You still have 2 gazillion dozen cookies to bake, the cards haven't been mailed yet...and you're feeling a bit frenzied, pressured, stressed out, or whatever emotions the rush of the season has brought to the surface...
Here's a thought: Take one hour off. Go sit in your closet. Yes, your closet. Make sure no one else is home... it's works a lot better if you're sure you're alone...
So, you're in the closet? Good. Now... let those emotions all the way out. Cry. Laugh. Remember. Regret. Wish a little, lament a little... just let them come. All of them, all the way.
The only requirement is that you allow yourself to be completely honest. Don't make excuses for your feelings, or look for solutions, or try to locate the source, or anything else that we tend to do outside the closet in order to maintain a sense of control... let it all out, and be honest about it.
Ok, I lied. There's another requirement: When you are emoting, alone there in your private closet space, understand this - YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Jesus Christ is right there with you, arms open wide, comfort and grace abounding, ready to take all that you are feeling and dealing with and replace it with peace, reassurance, guidance... and more importantly - with HIMSELF! On your knees, on your face, in the fetal position... wherever your emotional release has taken you... know that you are held safely in HIS arms, close to his heart.
And speaking of hearts, He fully knows yours.... allow him to show you His. Let him in, into your crazy rush of a day and remember... not only during HIS BIRTHDAY SEASON, but every day... that HE is the only gift, the one true gift worth receiving. If you've never asked Him in, never trusted Him as your Savior...do that now. You don't even have to go into the closet to do it. He's waiting with open arms...
Remember this: He willingly and obediently left the glory of Heaven, humbled himself - even unto death on a cross - so that a way would be made for you to know (right now and for eternity) the one true God, the creator of the Universe and lover of your soul. You and I do not deserve this gift, we cannot earn it... but the gift is offered, and it is free. All you have to do is believe it, receive it ... and then OPEN IT!
And, hey... if you're not stressed out, and you already know Christ... go into the closet anyway and sing your heart out to Him, in thankfulness and praise! Always a good thing to do.
Amen. Done preachin. He loves you way more than anyone in your past, present or future ever could... you just have to let him.
Christmas hugs to you all.
love, Puggy.

Watch this space...

2005-12-10T09:02:00.000-06:00

Puggy has neither left the building nor given up on the fine art of blogging....there are actually 5 entries in draft form waiting for final pattern tweaks and photo uploading from any computer OTHER than this blasted Mac... (Blogger and Mac don't get along very well when it comes to editing or adding pics).... AND I do have pictures to show you!
My good friend and fellow basketball mom/knitter-felter Mrs. Brooks was kind enough to take and (blessedly!) edit (ie:crop out most of my tush) a couple of pictures of my up and coming SECOND FREE PATTERN.... all I can tell you so far is it is a shrug, it's soft and warm and dark blue and Baby Alpaca and fairly easy to knit up and I am VERY PROUD OF IT!
In the meantime, I've made three hats, a pair of fingerless gloves, ALMOST FINISHED the VELVET PLUM MOHAIR WRAP and am considering attempting my first pair of real socks.... with heal turns and everything. I am also starting another shrug for the Emperor's Daughter for Christmas.
In between those non-bloggin excuses, I've been cruising the net for creative knitting, searching for new online knitting mags and learning how to wax my cross country skis. So there.
The digital camera I was promised for my birthday turned into boots and bindings, which is ok from a healthy perspective, but a little disappointing nonetheless...at least for the time being. I guess I will have to put off a couple of stash enhancement expeditions and simply save up and purchase the camera myself.
So... don't give up on me. Watch this space for a new shrug pattern, a lacy pink Misti Alpaca scarf, and a couple of new designs I've written up but not worked up yet.

birthday? what birthday...?

2005-11-14T14:42:00.000-06:00

There was no cake, a card or two, hugs, some fabulous birthday soup, the promise of boots, bindings and poles for my cross-country skis, a kiss from the Emperor and a dance with the dog. Who could ask for anything more?

I didn't ask.... but I got more anyway....

My good friend, Lady AMLTH took me to dinner at Maggiano's, where we chatted it up with Ernest, the piano player deluxe and seriously toyed with the idea of becoming lounge singers ourselves... and then headed downtown to Comedy Sports....where a table was waiting in the front row. We took a couple of fabulous one-liner's away as party favors and started planning future CSz events.... GOOD CLEAN FUN was had by all!

Thank you to my family and my friends for making my 2nd 22nd birthday most fabulous!
kisses,
puggy

Birthday Soup...

2005-11-10T11:18:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. The Emperor is making my favorite soup in celebration... and I'd like you all to try some! It is MOST FABULOUS...!!!

Puggy's Hubby's MOST FABULOUS Italian Sausage Happy Birthday Soup

1 1/2 lbs. Italian Sausage, cut in 1/2" pieces. (We use "brat-style" sausages and remove the skin)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large onions, chopped
1lg. can (28oz) Italian Style pear-shaped tomatos
3 cans (14 oz ea) beef broth
1 1/2 cups dry red wine
1/2 tsp crumbled basil leaves
3 Tbls chopped fresh parsley
1 med green pepper, chopped
2 med zucchini, sliced 1/4" thick
3 cups uncooked bowtie noodles
grated parmesan cheese

Brown sausage - drain fat. Add garlic and onions, cook until limp. Add tomato and liquid, crushing tomatos. Add broth, wine, basil. Simmer uncovered 30 min. Cool - chill. Remove fat. Add everything but the cheese and simmer 25 min covered. Sprinkle cheese on individual portions. Serve with crusty Italian or French bread.

We usually double the recipe so it will last a couple of days, or feed an army, whichever is our most pressing need. This soup freezes well, so even if you aren't having a party, you can enjoy it later in the winter, or whenever a warm, filling, fragrant soup is just the thing you crave!

ENJOY!!!

Tag line...

2005-10-26T13:53:00.000-05:00

I've been seeing those "tag" thing-ys on other blogs alot lately.... especially the one that tells you to delve into your archives, find your 23rd post, locate the 5th sentence and share that, along with the tag directions with a number of others....
I won't do the tag thing, because I don't know enough of you personally to enjoy annoying you without fear of retribution. However, I was intrigued by the insightful findings of other bloggers,specifically those in the Christian Knitters net ring, who came up with incredibly encouraging, inspiritational items which were even more inspiring when freshly taken out of context. I was curious...
I had to go back to my old blog (see linkage right...) and count up. Lo and behold, my actual 23rd post is my very first real post on THIS blog. It looks (according to my archives) that I might have found something worthwhile in my Prayer Journal, but in actuality... I created that ongoing piece quite a while after starting up with Blogger. I just tucked it somewhere back in "August" to keep it in a safe place, out of the way.
So, here it is. Post 23, Sentence number 5.....(drumroll please........)

"And thanks for stopping by."

(sound of one hand clapping... puggy attempts an akward curtsey, exits, stage left...)
um... ah... er...

TAG! You're IT....!!!

a most fabulous birthday indeed...

2005-10-14T08:26:00.000-05:00

The secret is out of the bag and on it's way to a new home... !
I had way too much fun knitting this simple triangular shawl... way more fun than I ought to have had knitting something in garter stitch. The yarn...the bumpy stuff/"Anne", in "Rosa Parks" color theme from Schaefer, was such a lovely color! Every stitch on the needle was a different color, and every stitch I knit dipped into another lovely color below it... the colors came together so wonderfully. I'm not a huge fan of fringe and tassels, but the ladies at The Ark recommended I use half the number the pattern calls for, and that worked for me.

In addition to the shawl, my dear friend received a jar of homemade tea (lemon verbena, lemon grass, stevia) straight from my tea garden out back. The Emperor and I nicknamed the blend "Sweet Lemons", as the stevia adds natural sweetness... even enough to satisfy the Emperor, who normally adds gallons of honey to any tea he drinks, sweet or otherwise.

I also have been experimenting with oils.... and have a recipe to share!

Here is my recipe for "Sweet Patootie!" natural body scrub:

3 Tbs. Sunflower Oil
1 Tbs. Grapeseed Oil
1 tsp. Avocado Oil
1 tsp. Apricot Kernal Oil
1 tsp. essential oil fragrance of choice
5 Tbs. sugar (baker's or extra fine)
2 Tbs. salt

Options:
Mix all oils, add sugar and salt. Store in a tightly closed glass or plastic container. Stir before use. Scoop out a bit of the mixture, GENTLY massage into hands, feet, heels, elbows... anywhere you need a little smoothing out. Rinse with warm water, pat dry. Massage remaining oil into skin and ...voila! Smoother, sweeter, lightly scented skin!

or
Mix all oils,store in a tightly closed glass or plastic container. Place one tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp. oil mixture in a small dish. Mix well. Follow directions for use as per above.

or
Mix all oils EXCEPT the essential oil fragrance, store in a tightly closed glass or plastic container. Place one tsp. sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp. oil mixture, AND one or two drops of whatever fragrance you feel inclined to use... Mix well. Follow directions for use as per above.

NOTE: If you like, add 1 Tbs. olive oil to the mix. This leaves a bit heavier oil after rinsing, and doesn't absorb quite as quickly, but is especially nice for feet or really rough patches.

as long as you're waiting around...

2005-10-07T10:58:00.000-05:00

I'm waiting for absolute soul confirmation on the Mohair inspiration before I cast on even one stitch, so feel free to inspire me... PLEASE!!! Send me more ideas, vote on what's there... come on - I dare you! I promise to post pictures and stuff when I've finished 'cause the Emperor is going to grant my birthday request and deliver unto me the digital camera I've been so longing for...

I'm working on a "secret project" for Lady AMLTH's most fabulous birthday... I'm excited about it, but can't post about it... because it's a SECRET!!!...

I'm busy surfing and compiling linkage for my links page... (look right! look right! there's a link....clicky clicky...)

and finally, life has been getting in the way of the knitting obsession...causing me to spend time posting stuff in Puggy's Prayer Journal (see the linkage on the right???)

SO... may I suggest, while we're both waiting for the camera and for something to come off the needles, why not check out where the Lord has been leading me lately! Go on! What are you waiting for...!

Mohair madness...

2005-10-05T12:30:00.000-05:00

A quick Woof! to Peach Pod for her suggestion to Bob and Weave with the fabulous Velvet Plum Colinette.

Other suggestions:
a mini clapotis...
an adjusted version of Tie One On...
and on the scarf front, time to Branch Out...

or a wide scarf/rectangular "shawlette" in some sort of semi-fancy lacy stitch with a nice simple border. I am open to simple suggestions...

PS. I just stopped by my LYS and bought another skein of the stuff,so my yardage options have increased twofold...yippee! Oh,the madness,the madness...

Cry for help!

2005-10-03T11:23:00.000-05:00

I need help!!! I just purchased some gorgeous fiber (Colinette's "Velvet Plum" mohair)... and i need pattern inspiration...
As there are only 175 meters / 192 yds available to me, I need a small shawl or larger scarf... something way more interesting than garter stitch and a pattern that won't get lost in the fuzz... any ideas?

been feelin F.L.U.I.S.H...

2005-09-21T10:43:00.000-05:00

Forced to
Languish
Unkempt
In
Shabby
Housecoat

Nuff said. I'm back with a pseudo-vengence... and my Kiri is almost done, so it was not all in vain.
I've completed the body and am ready to start the edging. I would have finished her completely IF I'd been able to sit upright for more than one or two days over the past week... but I'm happy with what I've accomplished so far.
My first trip out in sunlight included a stop for groceries. The latest VogueKnitting just happend to find its way into the cart, right next to the chicken soup. I may have found another option for the lovely silky-yakky lace weight fiber purchase. (check out their article on shawls...)
Of course, in order to have enought time start a new one, I'd probably have to get sick again...

Teetering on obsession...

2005-09-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

It starts with knitting, I'm told. Then you become obsessed with fine fiber...no more Red Heart Acrylic for you. Only the finest fibers, finest quality silk, wool, alpaca... ooooohhh, cashmere...
Then you start looking for handspun, hand-dyed... local stuff, if you can find it.
Then, of course... you simply must spin your own, dye your own.
From there it's a simple, logical progression to shepherdess. Saves on the cost of buying fleece, you tell yourself. It could be a home-based business, you muse. And think of all the free knitting time... (sigh)

If I'd been left to my normally obsessive-compulsive ADD driven self this weekend, with unlimited funding, I'd have come home with a Wensleydale under one arm and an Alpaca under the other - nevermind I live in the city and the Emperor would be furious...

(I had to settle for a few skeins of fine fiber and leave it at that. Maybe next year... )

I found some lovely wool from Sandy's Palette for my first Kiri shawl - which I've started and frogged once already - and some of Sandy's amazingly beautiful silky/yakky lace weight stuff for my light and airy future Kiri. I decided to practice with a heavier weight fiber first, so I could learn to read the pattern and see/feel it before attempting to knit with cobwebs....something suggested in my "Beginning Lace Knitting" class Sunday morning, ala the lace-wise Ms. Sullivan.
I also carried home some sweet n' yummy lightweight Alpaca from Rich-Nes Alpacas in a light chocolate color, perfect for a simple scarf or pair of mittens...maybe socks. Haven't decided yet. The Princess liked the color, and Rich was such a sweetie, I couldn't walk away without buying something from him. It wasn't what I'd come in for, but it will be nice to work with in the future.

The Princess fell in love with the beautiful AND yet somehow completely functional glass knitting needles (like these) Sandy had for sale at her booth. Tempting... very nice and non-slippery to work with... maybe a Christmas gift, along with the soft Alpaca teddy bear she was lusting after...

After stopping to fondle the curly brown fleece of a Wenslydale, and ogling the wares of the Gray Haven Hills booth, the Princess and I left with an invitation to assist with shearing next April... Dr. Kay and company are almost NEIGHBORS!!! How amazingly wonderful... to be living relatively close to one of the few American breeders of the Wenslydale, and the only one in Wisconsin. The Princess and I agreed that, if I were to stop artificially coloring my own curly locks, I would probably end up looking like one of the GHH residents...

After class on Sunday, and after I went back to Sandy's booth to purchase a more realistic beginning shawl fiber to work with, I was priveledged to meet and spend time with Janet Rehfeldt. We discovered we are both west coast transplants who've had difficulty making the cultural shift to the Midwest... there are no real salads to be had here. Arugula is not part of the general collective midwestern vernacular... Luckily, we've both attached ourselves to hubbys who have a bit of culture about them and have agreed to occasionally take us to real cities (Chicago, New York, etc.) for real food, theatre, art, etc. Milwaukee is not completely without small spots of refinement, however. We are not completely surrounded by cornfields and frosty mugs of brew...(thank GOD!)...but you really have to look hard.

It was a good, entirely self-indulgent weekend. When I wasn't learning to knit something or shopping for something to knit with, I was knitting. I probably should feel guilty about some part of all this... but I haven't quite identified exactly what yet. Until then, I truly am teetering on obsession... and shall be falling knee-deep into a huge pile of Wenslydale forthwith...(that's fleece, not cheese...)

Ruby Ribby Short Socks

2005-09-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

In attempting my first real sock, I took all my cues from "Knitting Rules". Thank you Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. You are my hero.

I am afraid of most "Pre-fab" patterns, because I know I'll have to adjust something, and I'm never quite sure how to do that. It makes more sense to me* to learn the basics and write my own pattern, if at all possible, which I'm learning to do - at least when it comes to stuff like hats, scarves, socks, mittens, etc. - maybe even a sweater or two. If it doesn't work, I'm less inclined to crab about it, and more inclined to go back and re-do the math.

*PLEASE Don't misunderstand me - I am neither arrogant nor brilliant. I really just have trouble reading small print and trying to interpret someone else's design. Except for lace. I can put standard lace patterns together to make something pretty, but I can't imagine attempting to create something entirely new.

This is a basic top down pattern using K3P2 ribbing in the cuff and down the top of the sock all the way to the toe. For the heel flap, I used a French Heel stitch, with a basic gusset intstep. I ran into problems making the ribbing pattern blend into the gusset evenly, and will probably have to re-think the numbers next time around. Also, the toe on the second sock appears to be shorter than on the first. I think I may have started decreasing every round a little sooner on the second than on the first. So basically, for my first pair of socks, I think - not so bad. No matter the toes don't match, and the gussets don't match... they are silk alpaca, red, warm and FINISHED! (see more notes on this project here.) *(A BIG PS: I found a similar pattern here. The main difference is their heel is worked all in stockinette, and they did the math first.)

I believe Ace approves...

Black and Blue Toe-Up socks

2005-09-10T18:09:00.000-05:00

Wendy, of WendyKnits fame, has a wonderful toe-up sock pattern. I looked it up to find out how to do short row toes and heels, and to get a general idea of how the whole toe-up sock thing works.

I'm ok with the feather and fan pattern, but I'm not sure about the stay-up-ability of a lace pattern. I'm sure this is because I'm a new sock knitter, as there are MANY beautiful lacy sock patterns out there. So I knew right off I'd be changing the pattern a bit.

I used the last bit of Ruby 123 to do my first ever provisional cast on... and it actually worked! (whew!)

And with that, we're off and running.

Here, I chose a K2 P1 ribbing that fits nicely across the top and right in with Wendy's wonderful pattern directions. A little boring, but I'm enjoying the process of watching the fabric come to life. Being cotton, this seems a little stiff, but I'm guessing it will soften up with wear and washing.

"Two Arms" - Puggy's Arm Socks

2005-09-09T12:00:00.000-05:00

Materials:

2 skeins (each 1oog/150 yds) Blue Sky Cotton in 623 "Toffee" (pure cotton, worsted weight)

US Size 3 (3.25mm) double points, set of 4 or 5 needles.

Tapestry needle for finishing and embroidery.

Gauge: 18 stitches, 9 rows = 2"

note: I designed these to fit comfortably on my own arms and hands. You may need to adjust gauge up or down if you find these are too loose or too tight for your personal comfort.

Begin R Arm Sock:

Cast on 54. Divide stitches evenly on three needles (18 stitches per needle.)

Join, being careful not to twist stitches.

Work 10 rounds k2, p1 ribbing. Knit one round plain.

Begin shaping:

Round 1: Decrease 1st stitch every needle by knitting 2 together. (-3 stitches total)

Rounds 2-7: Knit every round.

*(note: This is where you can increase or decrease the overall circumference and length. If you need it to be more narrow, work another decrease round. If you need it to fit more loosely, work fewer decrease rounds and work more plain knit rounds. Feel free to alter the numbers to fit your taste and comfort level.)

Repeat rounds 1-7 (x3).

Repeat round 1 (x1). (13 stitches on each needle/39 total)

Knit every round for 20 rounds. *(This is another place to adjust for comfort and length... make sure to try things on as you go.) You should end up at your wrist just below the base of your thumb.

Begin R Thumb Gusset:

(Work increase rounds on first needle as listed below. Knit three rounds between each increase round. Start with "1st increase round" and end with "Knit three rounds" after 6th increase round. Place 13 thumb stitches on holder.)

1st increase: k2, bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

2nd increase: k3, bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

3rd increase: k4, bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

4th increase: k5,bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

5th increase: k6, bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

6th increase: k7, bar increase, k1, bar increase, knit around.

Fourchette: Above the thumb stitches on holder, cast on 7 stitches, knit around. Knit one round over all stitches.

Next round: knit all the way to the 7 stitches, then sl1 kwise, k1, psso; k3, k2tog.

Next round: knit all the way to the 5 stitches, then sl1 kwise, k1, psso, k1, k2tog. Finish that round, then knit one round over all stitches.

Next round: Knit around to last 3 - sl1 kwise, k2tog, psso, k around.

Hand:

Knit 9 rounds. (*more or less to suit yourself)

Next round: k2tog (dec 1) on first stitch of each needle. (-3)

Then k2, p1 ribbing until end, approx. 10 rows.

Cast off in pattern.
Thumb:

Place 13 thumb stitches and 7 fourchette stitches on three needles. (6,7,7)

Rows 1-5: knit

(Close up the holes by whichever method works best for you. I picked up the bar next to the thumb stitch and twisted it onto the left needle, then knitted it together with the first stitch. I did the same with the last stitch.)

Rows 6-10: k2, p1 ribbing around. Cast off in pattern.

Finishing:

Work in ends using tapestry needle.

Embellish with embroidery if you wish. You can use any yarn, any color you choose. Design and placement are also up to you. I used the leftover Blue Sky Cotton and made up the pattern as I went along.

for left Arm Sock: work the same as for Right Arm sock until...

Begin L Thumb Gusset:
(Work increase rounds on last needle. Knit three rounds between each increase round. Start with "1st increase round" and end with "Knit three rounds" after 6th increase round. Place 13 thumb stitches on holder.)
1st increase: Knit around to last 3 stitches, bar increase, k1 bar increase, k2.

2nd increase: (same as 1st increase round.)
3rd increase: (same as 1st increase round.)

5th increase: (same as 1st increase round.)

6th increase: (same as 1st increase round.)

Work Fourchette and finish per instructions for Right Arm Sock.

"TWO ARMS" pattern created by "puggyknits". Any similarities to any other pattern in existence is purely coincidental. This pattern may be used with or without "puggyknit's" permission for personal, non-commercial use only, and as long as "puggyknits" gets the credit for the original pattern. Just don't publish it as your own...or I'll sick the dog on you.

Feeling a bit SHEEPISH today...

2005-09-09T09:45:00.000-05:00

I may have started the week in a confused fog of uncertainty....but I have FULLY RECOVERED!!! Today is DAY 1 of the WISCONSIN WOOL AND SHEEP FESTIVAL!!!
I just reviewed the calendar of events, noticed the "store" is open early this evening... and since I have pre-class "homework" to do (swatch knitting) ... and probably should do it with whatever fiber I've chosen for my beginning lace knitting project...which also means I need to quickly pick some fiber AND choose a pattern to bring along... what better place to look for both fiber and project. Sandy will be there, so there's a good chance I will find exactly what I'll need.
I'm dragging the Princess along. She already knits, but hasn't quite graduated to the same level of knitting lunacy and obsession her mother has. I'm sure I can fix that...

PS: I think I've found the perfect beginner's pattern... KIRI!

Yes. Another Kiri...

2005-09-08T03:05:00.000-05:00

Knitting lace is not intimidating. Following lace knitting patterns, however, is.

My first attempt needed to be in "not lace-weight" yarn, so that I could concentrate on getting the pattern right, and worry less about working with unfamiliar fiber.

Kiri seemed like a good first choice for my first official foray into lace.

I love this shawl, and I don't do shawls. (for the record)

um... what day is it?...anybody?...

2005-09-07T11:27:00.000-05:00

I hate three-day weekends. Screws up my internal clock, such as it is.
I was at work for exactly two hours yesterday before I realized it was Tuesday and I didn't have to be there. So, I went home to bother the Emperor, putz with the dog, and knit. I ended up napping... always a nice perk.
I've restarted my red Egyptian cotton Stork top. I'd started attempting to include some shaping around the middle and decided the decreases were too abrupt. Frogging ensued. I am now back at the shaping section and quite happy about it.
I know, I know...who cares! No pictures, no one is really interested...
...and on that note, the Crown Prince's Fabulous Redheaded Girlfriend has promised to come w/digital camera to help me capture the magic that is Puggyland...although I don't recommend holding your breath. It could be awhile. Meantime, I'm knitting away on the Red Stork, so's you'll have something to gaze upon. (Shhhh! I'm counting!)

The Fox Whisperer

2005-09-07T02:07:00.000-05:00

Two full skeins of Whisper in that sort of "foxy"color...

cast on 18 on size 10.5 needles....knit in garter stitch until ya can't stands ta go on...

... and if'n yer lucky,

ya might just get yerself strangled by Mr. Snuffleupagus.

Green Sweater of Destiny

2005-09-05T01:17:00.000-05:00

Oh, Sweet Annie! Thank you for the lovely, one-of-a-kind colorway for this project! It took me a year to commit, and it may take me two years to finish... but she will be mine. Oh, yes... she will be mine.

Irish Hiking Scarf

2005-09-03T01:02:00.000-05:00

The owner of the yarn company forced me to buy this lovely fiber last year at Stitches Midwest, as charming men are wont to do. He picked out the color for me. I knew right away it must become an Irish Hiking Scarf. It will be lovely. It will be soft. It will be worn a heck of a lot.

But seriously, folks…

2005-09-02T10:56:00.000-05:00

Ok. Way too much whining about trivial junk.
In light of time and eternity and the horrific events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, I’ll simply post links you can go to so you can be about way more important things…like helping people in need.

Knitter’s who are helping:

Susan at “I’m Knitting as Fast As I Can” and Margene at “Zeneedle” have created a blog specifically for donation purposes… check out “Give a Little” for links and other giving opportunities.

Wendy at “Wendyknits” also gives links to groups who help pets in disasters…Thank you, Wendy.

And Becky at “Knitting Interrupted” has links and buttons to share, as does Angela at “Knitting Angel”.

And, of course, there is the American Red Cross.

Give and/or do whatever you can and pray, pray, pray.

Assorted scarfy stuff...

2005-09-02T00:28:00.000-05:00

Left to Right:

- Yellow Galway bell-sleeve shrug, stockinette stitch

- Blue Baby Alpaca "Puggy Shruggy"

- mixed varigated sport weight wool and a horrible novelty yarn that was impossible to knit with, garter stitch

- very soft cream-colored mystery yarn, seed stitch.

- soft pink something I purchased in Japan about 20 years ago, mistake rib.

- Something rusty from Lion Brand, k2p2 rib

- ditto, in purple, on larger needles.

Angels in the Mist - Lace Scarf by Puggy

2005-09-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

Lace weight Misty Alpaca in a sweet pink, lace pattern that looks like angels (to me, anyway...)

Voila! Angels in the Mist.

(pattern forthcoming... the pug ate my notes. No, really...)

it's like buttah...

2005-09-01T23:24:00.000-05:00

Golden Crown Suri Alpaca from Nash Farm Alaska, purchased at Stitches Midwest 2006. Pattern comes with the fiber purchase... LANTERN MOON size 4 straights come separately. Love it, love it, love it, love it!!!!

Sweetie, pick out whatever color you like...

2005-09-01T23:11:00.000-05:00

um, wow.

What can I say...Neon tube socks for the Princess.

um, wow.

blue felted bowler!

2005-09-01T23:00:00.000-05:00

Found some bluish-gray Brown Sheep 100% virgin lambs wool at a thrift store... 15 skeins worth... about 10 years ago. It's been stashed, waiting for a decent project.

My first attempt at felting... and wearing hats! I have a melon head, or so I've been told. Hats only draw attention to that fact, mainly because most hats are not made for melon heads. THIS hat, however, has been made to fit MY melon. Me and my melon are quite pleased.

no, that is NOT a dead Bichon Frise around my neck...

2005-09-01T22:46:00.000-05:00

10.5 needles, 18 stitches across, all garter... 1 skein of "dirty" white Whisper... false mobius (twist and stitch the ends) and:

you end up with a dead-dog-lookin scarf thingy.

Lightweight. Warm. Wearable. No itch. Perfectly layerable, Wisconsin-winter-tuck-in-able... it has become a staple in my winter repetoire. Still...

it looks remarkably like road kill. Oh well.

bark! bark! bark!...we have a winner!

2005-08-31T09:34:00.000-05:00

Thank you very much! Pugknits has correctly identified the picture mentioned in my last post as a Shar-Pei, NOT a pug. For those of you left with any doubt, check out Dog-Dogs.com for confirmation.

Not only should the author of this article be severely chastised for inaccuracy, she should be reprimanded for wasting her paper's pug-loving reader's time.

If I had been one of the promoters, supporters or participants in the event, I would have been offended not only by the error, but by the obviously second-hand, made up, not-really-all-that-interested account of the event itself. Even the alleged quote sounds dubious...anyone care to wager she made it up?

(head pops up over the cubicle..." )
"Hey, Marcie! I have to finish this stupid little blurb about some dumb dog thingy but I'm already late for my pedicure... do you know what a pug looks like?"

(Marcie, not even looking up...)
"Yeah, my grandma used to have one. Cute, in an ugly sort of way. Flat nose. Wrinkles. Snored alot. Lots of energy."

(typing quickly, hits enter, puts computer into sleep mode...grabs purse...)
"...and done! Sweet. Thanks. Last time I was late, I got charged extra and they were all out of my favorite color. See ya!"

If, as I suspect, her job was simply to take up a couple of inches on an obscure page of the society section of her paper because they couldn't think of anything worthwhile to fill the space, then she "done good". Even so, drivel and space-wasting reporting should, at the very least, be accurate.

I normally don't whine about drivel, and I've never sent a letter to any editor anywhere. And, in light of time and eternity, AND in light of the tragic events of the past few days...this is a relativley miniscule irritation. I've considered sicking the dog on her, but I'm afraid he'd simply pee on her...
(oh. Wait...hmmmmmm... I'll have to think about that one...)

uh... pug? Are you sure?

2005-08-29T09:52:00.000-05:00

Help me out, please. Is there a variation on the pug I am unaware of? Check this out, and let me know if I'm crazy or not... I'm on the verge of writing a scathing commentary...

why yes, I am fabulous...thank you for noticing!

2005-08-26T10:24:00.000-05:00

I have finished my first wearable piece of personally-designed-and-personally-knit-by-moi clothing... a nice cotton sea green cami made out of this (in "sea green"... sorry, fiber snobs. It was on sale and it was shiny…) The picture will be up soon, but until then…
… it’s a tube of feather-and-fan and stockinette with 7-stitch I-cord for strappy straps that meet in the middle in back. As I finished, I made note of design detail I didn’t really like all that much, so I decided to try again, IN SCARLET, with this. It's not shiny. Not at all. But it is Egyptian cotton. (mmmmm...Egyptian cotton... yessss...)

I also picked up a little of THIS ( in color 07) from HERE to make THIS… are you not excited?
I yam… see?

All this knitting excitement will keep me busy while the Emperor takes the wheel on our way to GREEN BAY this weekend to our very first official visit to the new Lambeau Field stadium to watch a pre-season game between the Packers and...well, somebody else, I guess. After that, I think we’re going gambling. I have at least two rolls of nickels to burn, so watch out!

We interrupt this blog for a brief announcement...

2005-08-24T20:47:00.000-05:00

I have a headache. No blog today. Go away. Come back tomorrow. Maybe I'll have something insightful to say, maybe not.

(Actually, I'm busy knitting. Finished a project yesterday, started a new one today...buying a camera tomorrow. So, really...please... come back and visit me. I promise I'll let you see my pictures. Just bring me some aspirin...please...!)

just another AFLB weekend…

2005-08-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

It was Saturday. Too hot to garden, too tired to drive anywhere, no money for shopping…knitting in spurts to save my shoulder…what’s a bored Midwesterner to do? Gather up the rest of the lazy royal family and walk – yes, WALK (in 90 + degrees with 2,000 percent humidity…) our sorry lazy royal butts the whole 3+ miles all the way on over to the Oconomowoc Festival of the Arts so we could mix and mingle and get inspired…or not. (I suspected there might be fiber artists there, so the motive was not family-oriented or entirely unselfish…)

There’s always such a nice mix of the not-so-unique and the impractical at these festivals.
I rarely look at anything made in wood, and stopped looking at bead and jewelry artists when I found out how relatively easy and inexpensive it was to make stuff myself. So that cuts down on my wandering time significantly.

There are also:
* the requisite travel photographers – (“Show-offs… so, you’ve been to the South of France and I haven’t…keep it in your scrapbook…”)
* the cutsie-pie “portrait-from-a-photo” folks - (“I can do that. So can the Emperor, it won’t cost us $400 a head, and it will mean a lot more ‘cause we did it ourselves…I just have to dig out my pastels from the bottom of the junk drawer and then clear off the dining room table and…)
* glass blowers and art potters – (great stuff, but I actually live in my house and most (if not all) available flat surfaces are covered with the evidence of that fact…)

That leaves a small assortment of painters, illustrators, sculptors of various medium, non-travel photographers, and the display of student art from around the district. And a few fiber artists, if I’m lucky.

My first stop began as a non-fiber related teaser… amazingly delicate and intricate, beautifully mounted and framed paper cuttings ala Carol Menninga. I’ve done a little scherenschnitte work in my past life, so I was intrigued by the FINE detail, and then the coloration, which added interest and depth to each piece, and I wondered if she’d colored them before or after folding the paper…and then I moved in for a closer look, and then…hmmmm….
…the next thing I knew, I was chatting with the artist herself - something I generally NEVER do, because I always feel so bad when I walk away afterwards without having purchased anything - AND (lo and behold!) she was knitting a lacy blue sock, without even looking down! (Gotta love that!) AND wearing a nifty tank top she’d designed herself, AND also working on an incredible sweater pattern she’d designed herself…
SO…long story short... look for Carol Menninga’s website (still in the works) sometime this coming WINTER/SPRING, complete with terrific patterns for knitwear she’s designed herself. If they’re anything like her cut-work, expect great stuff.

I also stopped to visit with a woman who works in hand-dyed, linen/silk/wool blends, creating lacy, “loom-knit” cardigans… adding her own polymer clay buttons, especially designed for each piece. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a card, website, patterns or other information to pass along. I’ll keep an eye out. She also made really cool silk and velvet scarves and hats.

The ladies at “Helen’s Daughters” make really neat purses and bags. I loved them all, and couldn’t decide exactly which one I simply had to have in the time allotted. They’re kind of local, so I can visit their shop to purchase when I actually have cash in my pocket and more time to make my choice.

Our last worthwhile stop was a lengthy visit with photo-montage artist Lou Zale. No computerized images here…all old-school photographic talent and lots of fun. My favorite piece was “It’s only a Paper Moon”, which featured a lounging moon, crooning into a microphone, martini close at hand, while silver stars fall into the room from the window…

Other than that, it was hot and muggy. We ate a small bag of popcorn, listened to a local musician play piano at one of the several small stages, stopped at the Happy Face church for free gyros and lemonade, and somehow made our way back home.
Kudos to the Princess for not complaining too awfully much… she’d had a tetanus shot the day before and was beginning to have an abnormally severe reaction to it, complete with fever and whining. And kudos to the Court Jester for fetching her bottles of water, sitting with her so she wouldn’t be lonely, and not teasing her too much.

Just another Artsy-Fartsy Lazy Butt weekend…

Happy to be here...!

2005-08-19T09:52:00.000-05:00

In a past post on my old blog, I mentioned that I would always encourage my dear friend, Lady AMLTH, to "go with her" gut. I'd like to now add that I will always defer to her "gut", no matter what.
Her wariness not only kept us dry for the past two days, it kept us safe, and alive. IF we would have pooh-poohed the weathermen, we would have placed ourselves right in the path of a VERY NASTY storm cell...the same one that wreaked havoc on the fair city of Stoughton, WI just yesterday.
(click on links for information and emphasis)

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/1-08192005-529848.html
http://www.disasternews.net/news/news.php?articleid=2764
http://iwin.nws.noaa.gov/iwin/wi/public.html

I love my friend. She takes good care of me.

NOOOOOOOO...!!!

2005-08-17T11:11:00.000-05:00

Lady AMLTH just called.... severe weather is predicted for the next two days for the EXACT area we were planning on going... may have to find an alternate route or (oh the horror!) POSSIBLY NOT GO AT ALL...!
(sigh)
What's that verse? "Hope deferred makes the heart sick"...

pakkin' for some yakkin'...

2005-08-15T11:38:00.000-05:00

Wahoo! I'm ready, I'm ready, for some yakkin', I'm ready... (doin the SpongeBob dance, too!)

I'm running away from home, boys and girls. Only for two days, but I'm still running! Leaving Thursday morning for the Grant River... at least a 26 mile stretch of it...!

This will be my first real overnight kayaking touring-type trip. I'm checking with Lady AMLTH to see if she'll bring her digital camera so I can get REAL pictures of the adventure... bad hair and all... although neither AMLTH nor my other companion (the lovely Miss Maria) have been known to ever have a bad hair day. Bad hair days only really occur if you care. Neither of them care, and are both fortunate enought to have great hair that even looks good messy. I, on the other hand, care. I've been told I'll have to get over it. That's where a great hat comes in handy. I'm bringing two...yup. It can get that bad...

Monday morning... (yawn!)

2005-08-15T09:14:00.000-05:00

Ahem. Yup. It's Monday, alright. I suppose I should report on all the fun and excitement of the weekend...but that would be silly. It wasn't very exciting at all. In fact, I pretty much lounged on the couch all Sunday afternoon, curled up right next to the Emperor, who was also lounging ...quite effectively, I might add. The Princess caught the bug and stretched out on the other couch, while the Court Jester slept the day away, recovering from a Saturday night sleep over/skatepark excursion. The only actively active members of the royal family were the Crown Prince...who was whooping it up at the Ren Fair (again) and the pug. But then, the pug's a given. He is either out cold, or zooming around at the speed of light.

I did accomplish one thing, I guess. I've been trying to work out a design for a cotton camisole pattern...I've frogged it once already, so it's really starting to feel like a "work out"...

It's a lovely light green, feather-and-fan at the bottom, switching to stockinette just under the bustline... the problem is I get to the top and can't decide where to go from there. I thought about finishing off with a few rows of feather-and-fan, but it ends up too loose. I've thought about finishing off in stockinette, folding it over and adding elastic for extra support... but that's too much like sewing. I don't' really want to add eyelets and an I-cord drawstring... that's too young for me, and too putzy. I just want to pull it on and go.
And then there are the straps. The Emperor suggested little stringy spaghetti strappy thingies... I'm leaning towards wider straps of feather-and-fan, possibly criss-crossed at the back...or not...(sigh...no wonder I'm exhausted...too much thinking!)

So what did I actually accomplish? um... looking back at the last paragraph, apparently nothing at all. Just a lot of thinking about it.
Oh, I remember...I got it off the needles to try it on, and back again. I figure I've got another 2 - 3 inches to go before I really have to decide. (Sorry no pictures yet. If you have a good imagination, and have some suggestions, please feel free to let me know what you think...!)

I've also filled out my registration form for the "Beginning Lace Knitting" class with Ellen Sullivan at the upcoming Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival... anybody else going?

Free Scarf Pattern: Red Cables for the Crown Prince

2005-08-12T11:16:00.000-05:00

(I first published this on my old blog...had trouble linking to it, so I just moved it on over...)

RED CABLES FOR THE CROWN PRINCE
This is my very first scarf pattern…straight from my own imagination, created to teach myself cables…it’s red, the Crown Prince’s * favorite color, and simple/tailored enough to be appreciated by discerning folk of either gender…I don’t care what size needles you use, or what weight of yarn…just think it through. If you use large needles and large yarn, you will have an extremely large scarf. If you use tiny needles and tiny yarn, you’re in for a long haul. Swatch a little bit, to see if your choice makes sense for you. I ‘m using size 3’s, I think, with something similar to a sport-weight wool or wool mix. Also, since I picked this fiber up at a thrift store, I can’t advise you on the yardage you’ll need. Pick up whatever makes sense to you, and stash any leftovers…can’t be a bad thing, can it?

Terms:
RS = right side WS = wrong side k = knit p = purl
(sl 1 kw) = slip one stitch “knitwise”. ( Insert right needle into next stitch as if to knit, move it from the left needle to right needle, without knitting it, carrying yarn across the back of the work.)
C2F = Cable two front. (Place the next two stitches on a cable needle; hold the cable needle to the front of your work)
C2B = Cable two back. (Place the next two stitches on a cable needle; hold the cable needle to the back of your work)
CN = cable needle

THE SCARF…Cast on 58 (use whatever method you like…I used a cable cast on.)

1. RS: (sl 1 kw); [k1, p1] x4; [k4, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] x4; k4 [p1, k1] x4, k1
2. WS: (sl 1 kw); [p1, k1] x4; [p4, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1] x4; p4, [k1, p1] x4, k1
3. repeat row 1
4. repeat row 2
5. CABLE ROW:
(sl 1 kw); [k1, p1] x4; [C2F, k2, k2 from CN. p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] x2;
[C1B, k1, k1 from CN, C1F, k1, k1 from CN, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1] x1;
[C2B, k2, k2 from CN, p1, k1, p1, k1, p1, C2B, k2, k2 from CN] x 1;
[p1, k1] x4, k1

(This looks complicated, but in reality, it’s two left-twisting cables on the right side of the scarf, a horseshoe cable in the middle, and two right-twisting cables on the left side of the scarf, with “k1,p1” ribbing in between. Simple, really.)

6. Repeat row 2.

Repeat these six rows until the scarf is a long as you want it to be, or until you run out of patience, whichever comes first, depending on the size of needles and yarn you’ve chosen.

REMEMBER to always slip the first stitch and knit the last stitch of every row, both right side and wrong side, to create a selvedge stitch.

* The Crown Prince is my oldest boy, 17. Never wears scarves…ever. Except for this one….at least, he will wear it…whenever I am finished with it. He’d better wear it…I’m using tiny needles and tiny yarn. Somebody’d better wear this….
Copyright - puggyknits, 1/1/2005

"RED CABLES FOR THE CROWN PRINCE" pattern created by "puggyknits". Any similarities to any other pattern in existence is purely coincidental. This pattern may be used with or without "puggyknit's" permission for personal, non-commercial use only, and as long as "puggyknits" gets the credit for the original pattern. Just don't publish it as your own...or I'll sick the dog on you.

Greetings from puggyland!

2005-08-10T09:01:00.000-05:00

I have officially moved, thanks to a slight nudge from KnittinDeb ...
I f you are curious, you can visit my old site either by clicking on the link to the right.

My reason for blogging remains the same...to share thoughts, connect with other bloggers of the same ilk (ooooo...scary thought...there might actually be people like me out there.... shudder!), to share adventures, ideas and encouragment with fellow Christians, knitters, pug lovers, kayakers, and to force my husband to buy me a digital camera. (still pending, but getting closer...)

Let me know who you are, what you think we might have in common, and what you might be interested in hearing from me about, and what inspires you.

And thanks for stopping by.
puggy

Puggy's Prayer Journal

2005-08-01T12:27:00.028-05:00

This is my prayer journal... a door to my heart, a window to my soul. Welcome, fellow traveler. Come in! Make yourself at home...pardon the clutter, pet the dog, have some tea, feel free to clean something...
(comments welcome - scroll to the bottom)
- puggy

5/30/2011 "quiet"
The calm is palpable, my words are few. I am waiting, expecting you to move, confident in your plan. You lead, you guide, you empower. Waiting in the quiet, I know you are looking ahead of me into what you've already prepared. My eyes are not so good, you know. I'm content to look forward as far as I'm able and then wait for you to urge me forward, or to wait a bit, or to stop and close my eyes to listen carefully in the quiet once again. When it's quiet, I can hear your heartbeat.

12/25/2010 "enough"
You are enough. I remember every word you've spoken into my heart, every touch of your hand, every bit of truth you've spoken into my life - and yet I am still distracted by the things the world offers up to me as substitutes for You: human love, comfort, peace, joy, fulfillment, purpose, activity... all virtuous and lovely things; things offering glimpses of you, small bits of light, small joys. Nothing compares to the fullness of You, the completeness of You... the rest I find by simply sitting in silence at your feet. Yes, You are enough. But does this mean I am never to partake in the sweet things of this life? If I do, does it mean I've settled for second best? Help me to discern blessings from distractions.

12/14/2010 "so, how much is still too much?"
downsizing... letting go because I have to, because I need to... becoming because I want to. Little scraps of paper, books, trinkets of a past life or what I imagine the future holds. Nothing of value except that which you've touched, sanctioned or given to me - all of which can be held in my arms, my mind and my heart. Today I felt like I was standing out on the edge of a narrow cliff, pointing West out over a wild, wind-whipped ocean, arms winging out from my sides, head back, eyes closed...breathing in the sharp salt air, waiting.
Take it all. Take me. Everything is yours anyway. All I am is yours. Grant me the freedom to let go and let the wind carry me where it will, where You will.

10/17/10 "like I just said..."
oh, my Lord. After spending time on the battlefield of my mind all week, you've overwhelmed me. Not only have you showered me with undeserved favor, but you've fed me with a mindblowing feast, set in the presence of my enemies. The song playing as we dance reminds me that you indeed love me beyond comprehension, certainly more than I deserve and infinitely more than I can comprehend. Asking for help was not easy - I never imagined receiving it would be even more difficult. Then, as I close my eyes and rest my head on you, my feet on top of yours as you whirl me around like a princess on this dance floor, you whisper, "Who are you? Who are you to me? Take it; let me give to you. That's what Father's do."
(Isn't that just like you...)

10/13/10 "just like you"
yeah.
It's just like you to use my own words to remind me of your words... trust and obey. Ask myself what's true about this situation and then ask you what you'd have me to do in the middle of it...and it's just like you to remind me to trust and obey without really telling me what or how... just reminding me of who You are and pouring out this incredible peace of heart and mind.
yeah.
Just like You.

08/28/10 "focus"
Am I dancing with the world? Oh, dear Jesus - check my heart and mind. Have I been distracted by the busy-ness at hand and have I missed the mark? Am I lost? Please find me,
resting, only resting at your feet. Everything I have and all I am, lying face down on the floor. Lord, You know I must have more of You... only You.

Have I lost my way? Oh, dear Jesus - grab me, pull me in, farther from the edge of all that threatens, pulls my mind and heart away; don't let me turn my gaze from all you are and all you have - for you have never turned Your face from me...

Am I truly free? Oh, dear Jesus, from the things that bind? Promises of happiness, and music from the streets inviting dancing to a lesser dance...come find me,
resting, only resting at your feet. Everything I have and all I am...lying face down on the floor. Lord, you know I must have more of You, Jesus - only You....

Lord, come save me. Never let me go.
Lord, come save me. Never let me go.
Lord, come save me. Never let me go... never let me go.

08/07/10 "Servant or slave...?"
doulous: slave. "He who was called while free is Christ's doulous. You were bought with a price." (1 Cor 6: 19-20).
This changes everything. A servant gives service to someone - a slave belongs to someone. When I come to pray I know I can come boldly to Your throne, but my attitude MUST shift from casual to reverent... and stay there. I am NOT my own. Lord, plant this truth deeper into every fiber of my being.

08/04/10 "Fear? We don't need no stinkin fear..."
I do not need to protect my heart; it rests firmly in the palm of your hand, and I can think of no place in the universe that is safer.

06/12/10 "Resting..."
You are my peace; the stillness inside that I can count on everyday. The more I learn about you, the more I am convinced you are the only true love of my life. I can't imagine anyone on this planet ever being able to understand me, to comfort me, to encourage me, to love me the way you do. I know we talk, but there are times when I wish you were right here, all the time. Oh wait... you are! but you know what I mean. There will be a day when I will see you face to face - I'm resting on that promise.
07/31/09 "Wait..."
What am I doing across the room from you when we could be dancing? The sweetness of knowing someone loves you is nothing compared to the fullness of being loved. My heart is aching for time alone with you.

07/28/2009
This world has not so much to offer... except for moments and glimpses and hints of impending joy. Thank you for tranquil moments, quiet private spaces, time well spent, and friends and family to enjoy them with. Your glory gracing small pieces of my day - like a private, intimate gesture or sweet sideways glance, reminding me that though I am busy about the thing I'm doing, You are here with me, just across the room, quietly loving me, waiting until later when we can be alone... for a few moments here, and for eternity.

06/17/2009
One thing I really love about you is that even though you have every right and reason to be angry with me, or at the very least frustrated beyond the boundaries of human patience, you take the time to break it to me gently. To the point, clearly communicated and obvious to be sure, but still gently - in a way that allows me to discover truth, one ray of light at a time. I find you trustworthy in this... my safety zone in the middle of a raging riot of self-condemnation and the torch bearing finger pointing mob: You give me room to wrestle.

02/13/2009
"so much for so little"
You always go above and beyond. I ask for simple things, you make them simply grand. I ask for a little direction, you take me by the hand and lead me to places I could never have imagined, keeping me company, pointing out lovely things along the way. I lean in a little closer to hear your still small voice, and you sing me a symphony. I ask for rest, and you give me absolute rest in the midst of chaos. I'm overwhelmed. Such a small thing, to lean back in rest against someone you love....but when your response is to wrap your arms around me and hold me close enough to hear your heartbeat...the reward is always greater than the desire.
Mustard seeds and leaping mountains. Grains of sand and mighty rushing waters... big things made up of so many smaller things...and all of Heaven, too.
You cannot be outgiven, and yet we do not have because we do not ask...

05/01/2008
"priorities"
My best time... do I give you that? My first thoughts as I fade back in to consciousness after a deep nights sleep... are they focused on you? Am I excited to have a few minutes of privacy, knowing that I am finally free to enjoy time alone with you? Is your Word the only bread I hunger for? Does my speech honor you and direct the thoughts of those around me towards you? Are my private thoughts focused on whatever is lovely, true, and of good report, bringing my own heart back around to the foot of your throne, no matter what the circumstance...? If not, why not...?
Jesus, you always were about your Father's business - no matter what you did. You didn't compartmentalize... it was all the time your best time, without even trying.
Living water flows... no stopping to re-direct, no holding back, no stalling... just free flowing, pure life-giving movement.

09/29/2007
"getting wet"
Water, water, water. You speak often of water..of baptism, rivers and seas crossed and parted, streams of living water, springs and wells and water turned to wine...of praises like the sound of rushing water, and mighty floods washing away the sin and sinner. Water called out from a rock, drawn up from a well, flowing from within. I am thirsty, Jesus. Be my living water. If the only water I am able to taste right now is the river of life splasing all around me, threatening to overturn the raft, remind me to hold on and simply open my mouth...

09/25/2007
"Riding the Rapids"
In the moments just before waking, my heart began to tremble, and all the fears of the day began to knock on the door. As I searched frantically for ways to solve each of the pending problems, you whispered an invitation, and my heart was once again stilled with the calm assurance that you are at the helm of this craft. The river rages on. The rocks loom ahead. Each turn of the river holds unknown danger both visible and invisible... yet the one who spoke a word to an angry sea remains in the boat with me. I'd like to say, "whee!", but for now it is enough for me to hold on and watch you navigate, sometimes even with my eyes open.

05/18/2007
"Caleb's folly..."
Sometimes choosing to trust means more battles, not less discomfort nor certain outcomes. I am tired of battles, really. But I guess if I'm going to take you at your word, I have to act on that trust and cross the river into the unknown. You are exactly who you say you are, no doubt about that. I just wish I could stop shaking in my boots long enough to dance.

04/11/2007
"Keep it simple."
Big walls.
Bigger God.
nuff said.

03/21/2007
"...and say, "Thank you" from the heart."
Thank you.
Amen.

10/03/06
"and pause to look up..."
...and remember why I am on this path to begin with...
You called me to be set apart, holy unto you. Or was it "wholly"...either way, it's a trust walk to be srue. My "shield" is up, hand outstretched in praise...(You are who You say You are; You can do what You say You can do; I am who You say I am; I can do all things in Christ; Your word is alive and active in me". ) In your mercy, you take my hand and the walk continues. Thank you for promises I can stand on, put on, count on, rely on... now I feel like I can walk on, standing just a little straighter, head held high, eyes straight ahead. Lead on, O King Eternal!

9/14/2006
"and the next step..."
Thank you that I can trust you, take you at your word, and rely on you for direction. Thank you that you are exactly who you say you are, that you cannot lie, and that your promises are something I can stand upon. I am truly at the edge of a precipice... and it is most definitely prudent to consider each step. Thank you for holding my hand, and for promising to never let go.
8/1/2006
"the next step..."
You know the very spot my foot will land... I'm just waiting for you to show me where you want me to put it. Sometimes it's so hard to wait for your leading, but I absolutely do not EVER want to run ahead of you again! I don't want to "think" I know what you want... if you have not moved me, I will not move. I dare not move. Sit on me, Lord. Keep me from moving...until and unless you have spoken clearly and called me to follow.

1/17/2006:
"Why I need a Savior..."

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life." Philippians 2:14-16/NIVVerseoftheday.com

Lord, if this is how you need me to be, I definately need a new heart... and mind. I know from whence I came, and I know I am not capable of accomplishing this directive AT ALL apart from you. Do what you've got to do in me, and Lord, I ask you to shine through me... in spite of myself.

1/10/2006:
"Week 1, Day 2..."
Today's devotions: Psalms 19, 27, 92, 40, 97, 14. Zechariah 4:6, Zephaniah, Micah 2. In that order...
Key verse: Ps 19:12-14
"Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willfull sins, may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock, my Redeemer."
I have much to think on this week... decisions, direction, etc. I must wait for Your commands, Lord. You promise to keep me, to lead, guide, protect and provide. I must wait for you to shed light on my situation, and then I must trust you implicitly. But until you turn on the light, I will not move. I will sit here, in the "dark" and wait at your feet, if it's ok with you.
Thank you for your promises.

12/12/2005:
"Be ye kind..."
Ephesians 4:32... "Be ye kind, one unto another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God, for Christ's sake has forgiven you." ("doo, doo, doodle-ee-ooo. Ephesians four thirty two")
Camp songs. Some of them made it easier to memorize scripture, which is a good thing. Some simply suck the depth of meaning right out of the verse, which is not a good thing.
I've known this verse my whole life, and never had it hit home as hard as it has over the past few days...
KIND (ala Mr. Webster): sympathetic, friendly, gentle, tenderhearted, generous, etc. Also, cordial, loving, affectionate...
I do not have to do an in-depth word study on this one...I am not, by nature nor inclination, a kind person. I don't have it in me. Oh, I've done a few kind things in my life, to be sure. And I've probably chosen to be polite on occasion rather than rude or disrespectful for the sake of a friendship... but I am not naturally kind. I have low internal tolerance for certain types of people and certain types of struggles... this is not good. If I am to "put off the old, put on the new", I must be kind. I must be sympathetic of others who ALSO (as I do) struggle with sin in this world, in this life. I must be able to see them through the eyes of the Father, who saw our struggle, saw our need and MET IT. I must be able to come alongside and walk with them until they find their way, until the find themselves at the foot of the cross, the foot of the throne...
Jesus, you were and continue to be kind to me. I need a new heart, a new mind... I need your Holy Spirit to enable me to be kind to those who are on this often confusing and difficult path with me... Thank you for the reminder of your kindness to me and to forgive, to be sympathetic, to understand, even as I have been forgiven and understood.

11/10/2005:
"Thank you for the reminder..."
You are exactly who you say your are, and you always keep your promises. Thank you for the reminder from Betty at Proverbs 31 (the Knitting Bea) that in the midst of my chaos and lack of understanding, the thing I MUST do is place myself facedown before your throne, and stay there. And thank your for the reminder that your yoke is easy and your burden is light... and that your are a gentle Lord, Master,King, and friend.

10/25/2005:
"I am yours, Lord..."
... amen.

10/07/2005:
I HEAR YOU!!!
"And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matt 10:38-39

The HeartCard of the week... hmmmm. Am I missing something? or are you simply emphasising a point...? What is my cross, Lord? I don't see the trials I'm going through as being anywhere near the level of your cross. I guess anything that requires me to surrender my will and submit to yours in faith could be considered a cross to bear, albiet I doubt I will ever have to surrender to the point of physical death... or will I? Who knows, as things progress towards the end of the age...
Lord, help me to learn to submit to you in small things, so that I will be well practised when something big comes along.

09/30/2005:
I hear you, Lord...

"Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." Ps 119: 133

This was the verse of the day of few days ago, and now it is the Heartlight Card of the week. In between, you drew my attention to a verse somewhere in Matt. 10, stating that anyone who would NOT take up their cross was not worthy of you...
oh Lord, please let me not be found unworthy. Help me carry the cross you've given me.

09/23/2005:
"Taking the narrow road"

"Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."
Luke 9:23/NIVVerseoftheday.com
I think if more of us would take this simple directive seriously, there would be a lot fewer Christian bookstores. I think the reason there are so many Christian bookstores is that we are still looking for a way around this verse. Lord, you have place me here for such a time as this. Forgive me for trying to find a way out. What I think I want to see happen is of no consequence and very shortsighted. Forgive me for whining about it, too. Help me to just get on with it. Forgive me for looking within myself and to other people for solutions. Help me to keep my eyes on you... or i am lost. I can't follow you if I'm not paying attention to you.

09/12/2005:
Obsession...

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..."
Titus 2:11-12/NIV Verseoftheday.com

Um... in light of how I spent my weekend... obsessed with knitting... I have to remember to keep my focus on you, first and foremost. Do not let me forget to seek your kingdom first...and to remember that if it's gonna burn, I'd better keep a light hold on it. My time is short here, in light of eternity, and I need to be wise about how I spend my time. I want to be able to say, like my Jesus, "Father, I've finished all you had for me to do." I don't want to get caught, mid row saying, "Shut up, I'm counting. Come back later, after I finish this row..." Also, Lord, help me to remember that you know my motives, and that I'm not fooling anyone, especially You, by attempting to spiritualize anything that is not of you, or for you. "Oh, Lord...let me feel less guilty about spending my last $20 on this lovely skein of yarn by allowing me to create a prayer shawl with it, or by accepting my promise to pray whilst I'm knitting away..." Rubbish. Selfish is as selfish does. I have many passions, pleasures and pursuits. Help me keep everything I do, say, think, and feel in a godly, eternally-focused perspective...and to exercise self-control in these same areas.

09/09/2005:
Not My Battle...

Todays "Verse of the Day"...Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9/NIV Verseoftheday.com

When I was younger, and young in You, You promised me that you would "never fail me nor forsake me." You have rescued me, directed me, re-directed me, stopped me, got me up on my feet again, held my hand, held my head... held my heart... You have kept Your promise to me.
Then why in the world do I panic when something in my life appears to be falling apart? Why do I feel like simultaneously running away and collapsing in a blubbering incoherent heap whenver stuff gets hard...? You'd think by now I would know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that You are in control, You are aware of the problem, and You already know the outcome...
Thank you for keeping your promise and for always being right beside me reminding me that "when I feel like running, the only place to run is right into your arms."

09/07/2005:
Psalm 27...
"You have called me to seek your face... your face, O Lord, I will seek."
Your face, your feet, your heart... at the foot of your cross, at the foot of your throne... let me be where you are, Lord, even if it means pain.

09/01/2005
Acrostic Poem...by "puggy"

Hope
Endure
Accept
Love
Trust
Healing

08/17/2005
Mark 7:7; Is 29:13

"These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings."
(why?...because they don't know how to read His word or understand it...it is closed to them.)
Lord, remove the spirit of deep sleep. Open the eyes of ALL your people, not just the prophets and visionaries.
Is 30... don't go to Egypt for help. "In quiteness and trust is your strength."
Jer 7... stop your wicked thoughts and deeds...God knows our hearts...we don't fool him. Simply coming to "the temple" doesn't guarantee safety.
Jer 7:27..."Tell them all this, but do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings, but do not expect them to respond."
Jer 6:13-15..."Even my prophets and priests are like that! They offer superficial treatments for my people's mortal wound. They give assurances of peace when all is at war."
The world's sin is unbelief in Jesus. The Holy Spirit comes to bring light, open our eyes to see the truth about ourselves (conviction of sin) and to enable us to know Jesus.

08/16/2005
Psalms 42, 47
Help me rest in your word, trust you... and wait.

08/15/2005
"Homework..."
My "homework" this week is to ask you to open my eyes to the truth of who you are - to ask you to speak to me, reveal yourself to me, that I might know you intimately in order to be truly in a position to be of service to you. So I pray this, My precious Lord and Savior, My Jesus, My King...let me rest at your feet once again, bowing before you, comforted by your strength, power, authority, and assurance of salvation.

08/14/2005
Matt 28: 19-20
"We are not meant to be ordinary, or mundane, or comfortable..." Pastor Luke Dye, Countryside Community Church
(Heb. 11:32-38,12:11; 1Cor 3:7; Is 6:1-5;Acts 9:1; 1Tim 1:15; John 12:24)
I am to run with perserverance. How can I truly do this? I must remember that ONLY GOD, through the Holy Spirit can make me an effective woman of God. Only God makes things grow. God alone does this work in me...but how?
First, my eyes must be opened to the truth about who He is ...in all His holiness.
Second, I must fully recognize the truth about who I am, in light of who He is. I have nothing to offer and deserve only judgement.
Third, I must be broken. That step, my friend, requires a full and complete acceptance of the first two. Without a correct perspective, I can never fully understand or accept that the things He allows which are meant to break me are not meant to hurt me or punish me, but meant to bring me into the fullness of His presence and His purposes.

8/12/2005
"Sovereign God" - a hymn, by "puggy"

I will lay my burden down
at the foot of Thy great Throne.
I will wait here in this truth:
You are God and God alone.

Every test and every trial,
from your hand a gift to me...
Purify my sin-black soul;
let this pain your servant be.

Who am I to question this,
Tho this hardship - hard indeed -
presses down upon my soul...
in your grace, I will be free.

I will lay my burden down,
trusting you, and you alone.
I will leave my every care
at the foot of Thy Great Throne.

Every moment, every day,
every breath I do not own...
purchased at the blood stained cross -
I am yours, and yours alone.

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2001-01-01T01:10:00.000-06:00