Today was my beginner crochet class

Today I took a beginner crochet class with my youngest daughter, Jennifer. She wanted to learn to crochet and I used to make granny squares in 1973 (my Nana taught me how) but that was a long time ago and I wanted to graduated to something beyond granny squares! I have to say I wasn't really a beginner compared to some of the women in the class so I breezed right through all the teacher (who was wonderful by the way) taught us! Kathy, the teacher was really excited that the crocheting came right back to me and that I did so well. We made a washcloth or it could be a dishcloth for the kitchen, which ever you wanted. I picked 100% pima cotton and it is a turquoise color with a green under tone-it is just gorgeous! I just love it. Guess everyone will be getting a set of wash cloths or dish cloths for Christmas this year!! It is too dark tonight to take a picture but I'll take one tomorrow and post it. Off to knit now-can't neglect my shawl!!

Mantel and Socks!

I finished decorating the mantel the other day but it was raining and the room was dark. I decided to wait until a sunny day to take a picture of it. Well here it is:







Now for the sock part of the title of this post. I haven't finished the socks but I thought I would give you a glimpse of what I've been working on.



Here is what I've got done so far!


This is a closeup of the top of the sock.


Here's the bottom half.

I will post the pair when I have them completed.

Everyone have a great evening!!

Fall has arrived in Charlotte!

Well this morning John came back in the house from taking Teddy on his morning walk. First thing I smelled was the brisk fresh air he brought in with him!! Teddy obviously loved the cool morning walk, because he was running through the house like a crazy dog!! It was around 47 degrees!! When the heck did that happen!! We had such hot weather this summer that I really will be enjoying this cooler weather. The heat actually came on by itself this morning the temps had dropped so low during the night.

Time to bring out the throws, sweaters, socks, jackets, etc. I am looking forward to this though. I will miss summer but I know it will be back here soon enough!

Everyone enjoy the crisp Autumn air!! Take a lovely walk or stroll today!

Giving to others.

My youngest daughter,Jennifer works for Olive Garden. The Olive Garden restaurant she works for has decided to do a community project for Thanksgiving. The committee she is on decided to help 5 slightly disabled ladies at a local group home. These lovely ladies only receive $5/week for all their essentials (shampoo, anti-perspirant,toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, body wash, etc.). One of the ladies is in a wheelchair and feels cold alot of the time. Jenny and her committee have asked local area dentist to provide toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss, which they have so kindly provided. They will be gather baskets full of things for the Thanksgiving holiday to give these ladies. Jenny has also asked people including the ladies in my knitting group to knit, crochet, quilt these ladies either afghans, throws or shawls. I am happy to announce we will have 5 of these items and each lady will receive one!! One of the people in my knitting group has also volunteered to make the ladies jewelry, so they feel special during the holidays!

We should all be thankful year round for what we have but especially at this time of year please remember those that are less fortunate. Some people don't have family or any means of helping themselves beyond what the government or state helps them with. It doesn't take much time to bring such joy into a person's life with just a simple gesture as giving them a gift. I know in my heart that these lovely ladies will appreciate everything Jenny, her committee, family and friends will be bringing to them right before Thanksgiving!

Our Blogger Friends

As you know yesterday I met my blogger friend, Rhondi for the very first time! She's so sweet and we had a glorious time! It got me thinking about our friendships we have formed through our blogs. I am thankful every day for the friendships I have made! You all have been such an inspiration, there for me when I've had some hard times, nurturing when I need that and just plain wonderful!! All those words just don't seem enough to describe how I feel about all of you! We share so many things with each other and go through what the other person is going through-it is like a huge sisterhood! Our blogs remind me of years ago when everyone met at each others homes for quilting bees, canning vegetables or fruit with each other, sharing recipes and things like that. We are too spread out all over the US and world to get together at each others homes but we do share all the same things-recipes, knitting patterns, what is going on in our lives, our decorating, etc. So I guess this is the modern version of the old-fashioned get togethers!

I am very glad to know everyone I blog with and all the future bloggers out there! I just want to thank all of you for being you :)!!!

Everyone have a wonderful day!

Today I will be meeting one of my blogger friends-Rhondi!!

Today I will be meeting Rhondi from http://rhondisrosecoloredglasses.blogspot.com! We are meeting at a local Starbucks and I can't wait! We have been blogging for some time now and she lives locally. I have met one other blogger friend from GA and that was alot of fun. Rhondi will be attending Penny's Blogger Brunch on the 16th of this month, so we thought we would meet ahead of time. It is wonderful meeting all the fantastic people you blog with! I will take some pictures to show on my next post!

Everyone enjoy the lovely cooler, sunny weather we are having!!



UPDATE:

I met Rhondi and she is awesome!! We were chatting and sipping our tea and I forgot to take pictures!!! We'll have to take lots of pictures up at Penny's!!

Autumn Decorations Part II

Here are some more of the Autumn/Halloween decorations in my home. I will be retaking the mantel pictures because the day I took all the other pictures it was raining and the pictures turned out darker than I would like. Enjoy!


I have a sideboard in my kitchen eating area (the sideboard is really an antique dresser). I always change out the teapots and items on the sideboard for the season we are in. I always put out this coffee pot, creamer and sugar this time of year. Apples are a wonderful Autumn item and this Franciscan set fits the bill.


I bought this wooden garden item at Michael's. I just love the color! I've decided to keep it out all year round and just change out what I have displayed in it!


I have collected green Depression Glass for over 20 years. One of my early purchases was a set of candlesticks. I dressed them up with Autumn candle rings and they look perfect on the table with the plaid, pumpkin placemats I showed you in the previous post.


Every home needs a little bit of French decorating and I've got this vintage flower tin which is in a black wrought iron stand. I took some silk leaves and plopped them in the flower tin and that was all this needed!


Over the years I've collected Longaberger baskets. I bought this Halloween one and I've paired it this year with a little bird votive candle holder and a rustic bark and twig bird house. I've also added a little piece of faux bittersweet.


What Halloween decorating would be complete without a cute little witch all dressed up in her Halloween finery and her friendly ghost and pumpkin! I bought these wooden items at a craft show many years ago and every year I display them.


Well if you are going to have a cute little witch, then you really need a little black cat! I've grouped the little black cat with a bright orange pumpkin and an acorn candle holder.


One year my youngest daughter, Jenny had pneumonia for Halloween. We lived in a little Victorian in NJ at the time. Our town was a small, close knit town and the town always had a Halloween parade for the children. That meant all the outlying towns would come to our town for trick or treating and then the parade. Jenny asked if she bundled up could she pass out the candy and I told her she could for a little while. To make her time of passing out candle special I purchased this beautifully hand painted tin pail.