Crocheting-a small facet of my "productive times"

Long time no see! :) It's been awhile but as we're finishing up my sophmore year and the paperwork and editting, it's been a little crazy here. Hopefully I'll be able to post more than the occasional one but here's a short update of one facet of what has been occupying my time of late.


I absolutely love to crochet! A dear, dear friend once tried to teach me how to crochet granny squares and I grew so frustrated (which is an understatement) and vowed never to try it again. A few years later Mum introduced me to crochet again but this time without the granny squares. Granny squares are very pretty squares that are crocheted by working in rounds and for me, years ago, were very challenging. Mum taught me the basic stitches again and I soon found that I loved it! Since then I've crocheted a few baby afghans and many scarves, slipper socks....the scarves, at first, were for my dolls and were oh so curly and difficult to use. Oh well. As my tension (a crochet term for how tight or how loose you hold the yarn) evened itself out, the scarves grew smooth and straight. :) But then came the horror of uneven sides which, to this day, are still a pain and rather tricky for me to get right. Sometimes my sides went in and out...I had to start a dear friend's purse over many times because of the uneven sides. :) I made a baby blanket for my cousin Ty that turned out rather well and I think that was the first that looked really nice and I felt turned out the best so far on my crocheting journey. :)

My most recent project that has been completed is yet another baby afghan. I think this baby afghan is only my fifth. You've heard Mum talk about her Philipino friend-this afghan is for her new baby! He was born right around Mother's day but we all, as a family, have not been able to visit him yet. Which gave me more time to finish it. :) Looking back I realize I should've used a larger hook to make it easier and quicker on me....but I learned my lesson! The pattern I used is a baby blue and cream ripple. I just followed the instructions from my wonderful fiber arts/hand arts book to create a ripple. This is the second ripple afghan I've made and the first for a baby boy. The first was for our pastor's newest baby, Evie, who is now almost a year old. She is SO sweet! I had fun doing this one but I think my favorite baby afghan I've crocheted thus far is Evie's, which was done in baby pink and baby yellow. It was SO sweet! :) On that one I did a ruffly edge around it whereas in the one I just finished, I did a more subtle edging....ruffles don't really work for boys. :)

Here are a few pictures I took of my latest creation and underneath is a preview of what I am now beginning to create. :)

Me-triumphantly holding it up.....I had to creatively figure out how to make it wider without ripping the whole thing out and starting again when I realized it wasn't wide enough. That's where the few rows of edging came through. :) (Please excuse my disheveled apperance and my sleepy face....I had not yet shocked my face with cold water)

This is my favorite picture! The lighting was rather weird but oh well...

Here's the whole thing! I'm so glad it's done. I did enjoy making it but berated myself for not using a larger hook to get it along faster! Again, the lighting is rather weird but in real life those yellow-ish stripes are a delicate cream. :)

I have quite a few new projects planned-not all of them crocheted...many celebrations are coming up soon and I have almost all of the projects planned out. :) I can't give away too much because some people that I am making them for read this blog. :) My newest crochet project I've started is one I've never attempted before but one that I hope will turn out nicely. I hope to work on two projects at once but may have to put off one to quickly whip out one for an event that is coming up soon. :)

That's all for now folks! Now I'm off to finish my 2,500 word report (required here in PA), print out some schoolwork, do some chores and enjoy this beautiful day.

Friday night fun!

We had a little 'potluck' picnic yesterday with 2 of our favorite families! I see Rhonda and Linda frequently, and all the kids get together, but it was a nice treat to have all the hubbys with us as well!

This is my dear friend, Rhonda and her husband, Dave.....and......

my sweet friend, Linda and her husband, Rick

There was lots of hockey being played...even the 'big guys' played for a little while!

Of course, there is always hockey being played around here!
Our head honcho, Ron!
Meghan had a great time with her friends and her sister, Sara!
Sweet Annie! Typical Annie! (Rick and Linda's daughter)

I LOVE this picture!!! These two are 2 of my very favorite people! And....I love the identical expressions on their faces! (Dillon and Danielle belong to Rhonda and Dave)

There was lots of tree climbing......(this is Aaron and my Anna)
And secret forts.....
Sweet Hannah! ( she is Rhonda and Dave's youngest daughter)....She told me that sometimes, she just needs to "be alone".....

Annie and Dillon.....

Then the older kids played a game inside while all the little ones played outside....and us "old folks" gabbed outside on the deck!

~ I think a good time was held by all! It was fun to just relax and chat, and like I said....it was really nice to have the guys with us......just a simple, fun time at home on a Friday night! ~Sue~

Contentment and.....Borscht!

"If you have not what you desire....you have more than you deserve!" Thomas Watson

Contentment....we had a guest pastor speaking this past Sunday, and we'll be discussing this tonight at our small group. I took tons of notes, and wanted to get my thoughts down. The picture of the peonys above reminded me of contentment.

Recently, I re-read the book "Henry and the Great Society"....especially the end re-cap about simple contentment. The main scripture in the book was 1 Timothy 6:6-8 "For Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content."

Our main scripture on Sunday was Phillipians 4:11-13. " Not that I complain of want; for I have learned, in whatever state I am in, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have LEARNED the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthens me."

Here are some of the thoughts I had on contentment.....

~Discontentment comes when we don't have what we desire...ie: health, finances, relationships, possetions....

~I can be content, knowing that I am in God's will for me....and His love, strength, mercy and grace are more than suffiencient for me.

~Self-pity breeds discontent! Self-pity breeds laziness!

~Self-pity breeds depression! Self-pity breeds sin!

~God is not beyond allowing us to walk thru hard times: health issues, financial struggles, weakness...to allow us to turn to Him for strength...yet we KNOW that God is in control...no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.

~God is the same in plenty and in want.

~How do we do when our dreams and ambitions dont' happen?

~There is no peace in life until we become convinced that our place is His choice.

~I MUST decrease...and He MUST increase!

~Contentment is to be found in our relationship with Him....our strength, our joy, rest and peace are in Him....

~******Do NOT compare myself with anyone else!******

~We will never find contentment in comparing ourselves with others...only in what Jesus has done for us!

~I am blessed....I have so very much more than I deserve!

These are just some of my thoughts and notes from the weekend....but, I'm finding that I have needed frequent reminders this week!

On another note....you're probably wondering why....BORSCHT! Well...in today's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette newspaper, there was a recipe for Borscht from Evgeni Malkin's mother who is from Russia. Since Ronnie is a huge hockey fan, and is proud of the fact that he has some Carpathian-Russian blood in him, I made this recipe for dinner. It was delicious! Here is a picture and the recipe follows....very delicious, frugal and healthy! God bless! ~Sue~

Evgeni Malkin's mother's lucky borscht
Thursday, June 04, 2009
By Bob Batz Jr., Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Red Borscht
Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin loves his parents, Natalia and Vladimir, being here from Magnitogorsk, Russia,to watch him play -- in great part because his mom can cook for him. Just after scoring a hat trick in Game 2 against the Carolina Hurricanes, Malkin told the Toronto Sun that was the key to his success: "Every time before a game, I get great cooking. Great Russian food" (that day, a beef entree with soup).
His mom says (via the translation of Penguins sales account executive George Birman) that this is her son's favorite.
1 pound any kind of meat, cubed (approximately 1 1/2-inches)
3 medium baking potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 medium head cabbage, cored and shredded
8-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 medium beets, peeled and shredded
3 carrots, peeled and shredded
1 teaspoon white sugar, or to taste
3 cloves garlic, minced
6-ounce can tomato paste
3/4 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup sour cream, for topping
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Fill a large pot halfway with water (about 2 quarts), add the meat and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Add the potatoes and bring to a boil. Add the cabbage and the can of diced tomatoes and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.
Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the beets, and cook until tender. Add the carrots, the white sugar and the raw garlic. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well blended. Add skillet contents to the soup and bring to a boil, cover and turn off the heat. Let stand for 15 to 20 minutes. Taste, and season with salt, pepper and additional sugar, if desired.
Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with sour cream and fresh parsley.

Cousins....

Today was a pretty typical day around here. Although....for Pittsburgh this time of year, it was chilly and rainy....exactly what my gardens needed!
Ty came over this morning....he is growing so fast, has 3 teeth in...and just had his pictures taken for his first birthday....one is cuter than the next! Ronnie and Anna LOVE being the "big" cousins!

Ron's cousin Mike and his wife Jill invited us for dinner and a visit tonight after Ty left. We hadn't seen them for quite a while...and Jill will be gone for 1 1/2 months so we were grateful to spend this time with them.

Anna and Mia had fun playing together....and Sara spent her time with the girls and Jill's dog, Cheyenne....She and Anna LOVE dogs!

Ronnie and Michael were so excited to see each other!

Jill and I ALWAYS have a good time together! She will be visiting her parents in North Carolina for over a month...we're already making plans for when she comes back. Meghan spent her time hanging out with Jill and I....looking thru Jill's wedding albumn and crocheting. We all had a nice time! We are so blessed to have so much family on both sides around us! Sometimes, it seems like we have so many plans with family...get-togethers, picnics, birthday parties, holidays...added to church activities, and homeschooling friends....we actually need to guard some quiet, family time! Thanks, Mike and Jill for a great evening! ~Sue~

Sweet reunion...and new friends!

Sara posted about our trip to Ohio for an evening with the Duggar family. It was wonderful...but my main reason for going was to be reunited with old friends!

Sara enjoying her ride to Ohio!

Meghan was my co-pilot and navigator! It was so nice to 'get away' with my 2 older girls...we laughed, sang and were able to talk A LOT! I think we can all say that we had a thoroughly good time together!

But...here is my main reason for the trip...my dear, dear old friend, Jolyn! Here are Jolyn and I at her home. She and her family lived behind us while we were growing up. She and my sister, Lori, were actually best friends for years...Lori was even in Jolyn's wedding. Ron and I had dinner 20 years ago with Jolyn and her husband, Mike, then sadly, we lost touch with each other.
Here are Jolyn's daugher, Autumn (she is Sara's age), Meghan, and Sara. The girls hit it off right away, and had a great time. We're looking forward to Autumn coming to stay with us for a week in June.

This is Jolyn's mom, Linda, on the left. She is so sweet and funny...I told her I wanted to bring her home with me for a visit! (she cracked me up!) She still calls "Jolyn!!!" in a very "distinctive" voice!

This is all of us, waiting to get into the Duggar event. Sara and Autumn were two peas in a pod!

~This was one of the nicest visits that I've had in a long time! It was an immediate "re-connect" for Jolyn and I. There was no awkwardness, no loss for words....just a deep 'spiritual' connection, lots of laughter, a few tears, and lots of 'gabbing'! Jolyn's husband, Mike, was so kind and thoughtful, and it was great spending time with Jolyn's mom and dad again. We got to spend a little bit of time last night after we got home, playing Phase 10 with all of them as well as Jolyn's son, Mike. Lots of snacks and lots of laughter! We figured out the 1/2 way point is around Beaver Falls...a little better than an hour from each of us....so we'll be planning frequent visits, even in the winter time. Can't wait till they are able to come here for a visit...to see all of my family who hasn't seen them since Jolyn & Mike's wedding....25 years ago!

Thanks for the special, wonderful visit, Jolyn! We love you! ~Sue~

Seeing the Duggars

*yawn* We are back from Ohio, and we are so glad to be home. We are so thankful for our friends, the Teter family, for graciously opening their home to us so nicely. We had so much fun!
When we got there, we all had dinner at Cracker Barrel, laughing and chatting ALOT! After dinner, we all went home to change quickly and get ready to go to the church. We made a small detour at a nearby Starbucks (yummmm!) then we arrived at the church. We were driving around, looking for a place to park, and that is when we saw it: the Duggar Bus. Autumn and I shrieked and pointed wildly, but our moms said we couldn't take a picture by it :( Darn... anyways, we went inside and got in line. It was 5:30 PM, but there was already a few people there. We stood in line for 30 minutes, then I noticed that there was another door, with NO line... so we ended up being first in line!

We sat down (finally) and it was great! They all lined up on the stage and sang, then Mr. & Mrs Duggar spoke their testimony. It was great to hear and we had a good time. But the best was yet to come... afterwards, they all came out to sing two more songs. I even got a video for you! You're welcome...

After they sang, they all went out, and we headed towards the end of the aisle. Then we realized, Jim Bob and Michelle were meeting and taking pictures! So were Josh and his wife Anna! Meghan, Jolyn, and her mother decided to wait out in the car, but Autumn, Mum, and I wanted to meet them! There were big crowds, but I (being SO polite) kinda sidled towards them. I said excuse me and that is all that matters, right? Right? Okay, so I finally got over to where Mrs. Duggar was and she signed our book! So did Josh and Anna! Here is a picture of the inside:I was so excited! I was able to hug Mrs. Duggar and Anna! They were so nice, poor Anna looked so tired, but she was there! (If you haven't followed their story since after the wedding, they are expecting a baby!) Here are some more pictures:

Mr. and Mrs. Duggar laughingly telling about the first time they met :)

(From L to R) Jinger, Jessa, Jill, and Jana playing a violin piece

Jeremiah, Jedidiah, and Joy-Anna playing ( They were so good!)

Almost all of them, excluding the three youngest, John-David, Jana, Anna, and Josh.

This is Mrs. Duggar and I! I was so excited, she was so sweet and gave me a hug!

Anna, Josh, and I (And the baby, who we don't know what it is yet!)

And, there you have it! We had so much fun and cannot wait to go back to Ohio again sometime soon and visit some more!

Just.....life!

Just a typical, busy early summer week around here! I love these pictures of the girls....so sweet and young.....so beautiful! My 2 best girlfriends....and my precious daughters!

My hardworking guys spent so much time putting mulch down in the front and getting it ready for flowers....Ronnie has really been working hard! I'm so glad that his dad is not just teaching him, but also, by example..showing him a strong, hard work ethic. So very important for kids to learn!The nicest thing about all of this, is that Ron HATES gardening, landscaping, yard work....he would rather be underneith a dirty, oily car for hours than do this...and I thought he looked so handsome pushing my grandfather's old wheelbarrow around! I really appreciate all he has done outside these last few weeks....and he has done it all for me. That's love! (after 20 years, too!)
Here are some of the 'Amish Sugar Cookies' that Meghan made to donate to the Zambia fund. As I mentioned earlier, our church is sending a team to Zambia to build housing and a school for orphans, and these were all part of the plan.
Saturday, I dropped off Meghan and Sara to help out with the fundraiser. Meghan and her friend , Alaina, offered raffle tickets and packages of her cookies for a $1 donation each outside of a very busy shopping center.

Sara, who is excellent at this, did the facepainting for the kids.


At the same time, Ron took Ronnie & Anna to this event at a local church.

Of course, they took his 1968 Plymouth Fury! Ronnie loves this old car as much as his dad does, and is Ron's shadow! They had to dress alike in their Penguin shirts for the game that day!
I loved this photo! They all had such a good time at the event! Then, Ronnie got to watch one of his best friends, Aaron, play his last flag football game.

Later, that same day, Ron & I went to a surprise 40th birthday party for his cousin, Danny. Here are his sister, Maureen, his mom, his brother Tommy & Tom's fiance, Kelli.
It was so nice to catch up with all his cousins! We hadn't seen them for a while, and everyone had such fun! Here are our cousins, Hannah and Rachel. My girls are anxious for a visit with them soon!
Hannah and Rachel's mom, Amy & I had a great time catching up with each other! Can't wait to get together with them soon for a rousing game of "Apples to Apples"!
This is how much of the evening looked....lots of people crowded around the television set to watch the Penguin game! (see Ron's bald head left of center)

Now for our sweet Sunday! The weather was perfect today....and after a wonderful service with preaching on 'contentment'...very thought-provoking....we all came home and rested for a while, then spent some time outdoors. Even the big girls had fun on the tire swing!

Sara, (bless her heart!) planted a big flat of flowers for me today! Notice how nice "Mr. Frog" looks with a fresh coat of paint in the background? He was bought by my grandmother in 1952....he is a special part of my childhood.

Would a childhood summer be complete without 'hopscotch'?!
Ronnie occupied himself outside for most of the day building and using a 'catapult'. He is holding a piece of terracotta pipe as his weight.
He was making all kinds of thing fly thru the air, and was figuring out the path of different objects based on their weight and the direction of his aim. I was impressed!

Anna had a great time outside with her dolls..having snacks and playing in the clubhouse!

Meghan helped me make a good old-fashioned Sunday dinner while Sara planted the flowers. We made a roast chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, corn and homemade gravy! Ron's favorite Sunday dinner!

Here we are, almost done.

~Now, everything is winding down....some are taking showers, Ron & Ronnie are watching the Penguin game....thankfully downstairs, so it is quiet up here. I'm going to make our evening kefir smoothies, and read Anna some books before bed.....then we'll get ready for our trip to Ohio to meet the Duggar family, and get a good nights sleep! Then.....it's the start of another busy week! Never a dull moment! ~Sue~