needles & a cup of coffee

Very interesting!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:05:00 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2E-IDIAGGo&feature=channel

Buttonholes on the left

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:31:00 +0000

I made most of this yesterday while snowed in watching Jennifer Aniston movies on Lifetime. I sewed the pieces together this morning.
I had a gift card from my LYS, so went shopping for yarn to make a sweater for a little boy who is almost 1.
<---I couldn't resist these little sheep buttons with dangly feet!
I am always searching the internet for free patterns and I wanted something that didn't have to be pulled over the head, as we all know how babies feel about that.
I got this one from the Lion Brand Yarn website, where there are plenty of free patterns available. What caught my eye on this one was that the model wearing it was a boy, and sure enough, after checking out the directions, the buttonholes were appropriately on the left.
Now, some knitters write things such as "It doesn't really matter to a baby." while others staunchly proclaim "Of course it matters -- boys' buttonholes are on the left, girls' are always on the right!" In any case, I went right along with this pattern without the extra bother of reversing the directions for the buttons and buttonholes.
The pattern featured organic cotton yarn, but I used Red Heart multi colored yarn called "Seagrass". It's a blend of blues, greens, and a neutral, which is what led me over to the button aisle where I found the neutral little sheep.
I like multicolored or varigated yarn for several reasons, as it can blend with many other clothes; but also I find that it can be "forgiving" when you are sewing the pieces together and small flaws are less noticeable.
In any case, I did modify the pattern slightly. I used US size 8 needles, rather than 9, and changed the yarn. I was careful to go by the gauge, which is the most important thing. The gauge here was 17 sts + 24 rows = 4 in.
This pattern is knit from the bottom up to the armholes, where you split up the stitches to finish the back, separate from the two front pieces. Later you just sew the shoulders.
I liked the idea that by casting on 102 stitches (for 18 month size), that covered the width of the back of the sweater and both front pieces. You separate and place the back and the fronts on holders as you are finishing up the last few inches on each. Then I made both sleeves at once on one needle, with separate skeins of yarn, which ensures that an equal amount of rows are used on both sleeves. (You know how yarn can stretch when measuring) The only sewing, besides a few inches across the shoulders, was to stitch up the underarm of the sleeves, then attach them to the shoulder and body of the sweater. I will post a pic after my little guy tries it on. Right now, we are separated by a snowstorm. :-)

Here we are with the update

A new year for my feral kitties

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:51:00 +0000

I already had the dog igloo as a shelter for some of my stray cats who visit me, but it needed some fresh hay this season.
We also purchased a small dog tent, which doesn't show up well in these photos; but it's spectacular!
It's an actual midget tent with a mesh floor and a zippered mesh door in it. It also has legs that keep it up off the ground a few inches. The igloo is placed on an old plastic outdoor table top, also off the ground a bit. Luckily we had some small, smooth boards in the garage, and I laid them down across the mesh flooring of the tent, as though I were laying laminate flooring. A perfect fit! I then loaded the tent up with hay as I did with the igloo hut; because hay allows animals to "nest" and retain their body heat.
I bought a new tarp and secured it to block out as much wetness and icy air as possible.

We set up the new shelter area the other day when it was clear and the next day it began snowing. When I cleared a path from my door to the shelter, I found that it was already occupied!
Smart cats.

Merry Christmas 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:46:00 +0000

Last night just before 9 p.m. my husband and I decided to go to the "green" which is the downtown area, all decorated for Christmas.
<--Yes, that's the moon shown next to the tree.

We are officially known as "The Christmas City", and have been for decades.I brought my camera to capture some memories of this year's display. Every year it's decorated in a different manner.

Cold feet

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:08:00 +0000

I worry about our feral cats' little feet in this sub-freezing and snowy weather. I decided to put down a bathroom rug where I feed them so they can get a little break from the snowy surfaces where they walk.
My husband used the snow blower the other day to clear the driveway; but he also made a few paths where they can come to our door from the back yard.
Poor Lucky.
He's been the recipient of our food for the past 5 years, but he's still afraid of humans. He can't be petted. The most we can do is keep him going with nutrition. All of the strays who visit us were friends with Angel, our black and white kitty who recently passed away.

They DO remember!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:21:00 +0000

Every so often we hear a story about a pet who is reuinited with a family or they travel to get to a location and we are always amazed. How much do our pets remember? I think just about everything.
Redd, my daughter's cat, lived at my house for a few months TEN YEARS ago. Yes, that's right. Ten years ago. He was one of 4 at that time who lived here. The others have since passed on, and because of my recent loss of two of those in the past few weeks, I wondered if Redd would be willing to come over and spend some time with me.
<--Here he is loving my feet.
I put him in the cat carrier and drove to my house and sure enough when we opened the cage in the living room, be began snooping around and purring immediately. He gave the house the once-over. Yes, flooring is now different and the furniture has changed. But he KNEW the layout, checking the rooms and looking out the windows and the sliding glass door. He purred for hours and hours. He relaxed with me while I watched TV and when I went to bed, he came in and plopped his chubby body right next to my head and purred loudly in my ear. That's exactly what I needed to hear because my heart was broken.
He is a good boy, and really made himself at home for his visit with me. I think he might have been looking for the girls that he knew years ago, as he sniffed areas on rugs where they have been. Even though I have vacuumed, he was drawn to the areas where they had been resting in the past few weeks. He carefully sniffed the doorways where they would rub their smiles and he just knew.

<---sleeping on my lap....
He was very happy to visit with me overnight; but I lost quite a bit of sleep because he wanted me to stay up with him! That's OK I will catch up on my sleep tonight.

RIP dear Angel and dear Tabby

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:19:00 +0000

I lost my two beloved cats in the past 5 weeks. One was a sudden loss, and the other one went to the Rainbow Bridge today, after 5 months of illness. You can see in the photo on the right that Tabby was withdrawn into her pain and valiantly trying to stay with me.
This is the first time in years that a pet hasn't greeted me when I came in the door, and I will miss their unconditional love and their absolute need to be near me.

Winter is coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:27:00 +0000

It seems that since this blog actually has to do with crafting....I am always working on something; but I sometimes to forget to post what's on my needles. Recently I made a throw to be used in the living room, near the fire, for my son and daughter-in-law. That was a combination of greens, which compliment their living room.
Now, I recently made a throw for my daughter and son-in-law's family room, and I used a blend of neutrals that went with their carpeting and their furniture. I didn't get a pic of the finished product, but here it is in progress.
I decided to just use my various neutrals (using two strands together) and knit across with large needles and only 15 stitches. I figured that these strips could be sewn together later, making a larger throw than can be created on just two needles, that are only so wide.
I used a couple of different textures, too, which I thought would be nice for a change. However, after completing each "strip" I had to lay them out on the floor to measure them up...one against the other.
Sure enough, when it came time to sew the pieces together, I had to undo a couple of the strips and remove several rows in order to keep the strip within the same measurements as the others, simply because they s-t-r-e-t-c-h out because of the patterns that I used. Eventually, I laid them out and decided which pieces I wanted next to the other color and stitch and when I got them all together, I crochet a few rows around the perimeter of the whole thing, which keeps the stretching away and finishes the edges. I put it over a recliner chair at my daughter's house, and the next day I was babysitting. The baby (10 months old) was in my arms and I was rocking him. He discovered the new blanket and grabbed it to himself, rubbing his face into it.
I think that's the "seal of approval"!

Thanksgiving Day

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:10:00 +0000

***I Thessalonians, chapter 5, verse 18 says: "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you"***

Recently, we've lost people and pets and others have lost jobs but still there is much to be thankful for.

Little Markie started our dinner by giving thanks for his family in particular.
I started our turkey in our oven at 6:30 a.m.
Then I brought the turkey over to Chad's house to finish the cooking there.
Preparing food for others to enjoy can be fun on a holiday. Lots of work, but lots of enjoyment.
We had many things to choose from...
A cozy fire is a comforting thing
with family gathered around.

Congratulations, son!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:22:00 +0000

The award ceremony was held at the State House in Boston.
Chad was honored for his work on a recent double homicide.

I'm free! I'm free!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:21:00 +0000

I was so busy this morning. I had to go pick up a prescription for someone, go check on my mother's mailbox in her apartment building, go see her in the hospital in the intensive care unit, not a moment to spare.
I got to her building, checked the mail and hopped into the elevator and pushed 3. The elevator lurched up a couple of feet, then dropped back down. Feeling irritated, I pushed the 3 button again.Nothing happened. I pushed the 1 button....after all, I wasn't sure if I had landed back on the first floor. Nothing. I started to realize that there was a big problem here. I pressed the "open door" button. I pressed it a few more times. Nothing. Yes, I was trapped. I've heard of this happening to people before, but never realized the horror of experiencing this. There was a red "alarm" button and I rang that. I could hear it as though it just rang in the hallways, maybe to alert someone passing by?
There was a little door indicating a way to call for help, and I opened it. No phone inside, just a button and a speaker. I pressed the button. An operator came on and took my name and asked if I was all right. I said "Well, I'm all right for now...but I'm trapped!" She also took my cell phone number, asked me what building I was in, and told me that she would alert maintenance for me. The line was temporarily scratchy and she asked me to repeat my cell phone number, stating that another operator had cut in and caused interference. I repeated my number to her. (I kept thinking...it's Sunday...do the maintenance people work today, or will they have to be paged????) Now, the building I was in is owned by a corporation in Rhode Island, so I didn't know for sure if that's where I was calling with this button...I also worried about how long it would take.
I took off my jacket, as it was very small and close in there, and I was getting warm. I looked up. There was a plastic grid way above me, with lighting enclosed. I couldn't see anything else. There was no fan, as you find in some elevators. I remembered things that I had seen on TV in the past. I knew that I must remain calm, take shallow, calm breaths, and not use up all of the air quickly. It was like being shut in a very stuffy closet. I leaned against the wall and shut my eyes and kept praying that God would send someone to me. I flipped open my phone and thought that I would call a few people on my contact list to just somehow alert authorities to help me. Another disappointment as I saw on my phone that there was no reception available in the elevator! This of course, meant that the operator with whom I had spoken would never call me back. My heart sank. I went back to leaning against the wall and praying for help.
After about 15 minutes I heard someone coming through the main doors. I banged on the elevator door and said "Hello?" A man answered me, and asked where I was. I told him I was trapped in the elevator. I said "Are you the maintenance man?" He said "No, I'm delivering newspapers." I asked him to please not leave me alone. He told me that his truck was running outside and he would go shut it off and then come back in. I heard him leave and then I heard the doors open again as he returned. I could hear that he was talking to someone on a cell phone. He questioned me as to whether I had pushed emergency buttons, etc...and I told him of my call for maintenance, but they weren't there yet. I said "Sir, could you do something for me?" He said "Yes." I said "Please call the local police department and alert them that I am stuck in here!" His reply: "Ummmm I don't think I can call 911 about this, because it's not a real emergency." (Good Lord, he didn't even know how long I had been waiting!) I put my mouth up next to the elevator door and said "Sir...I HAVE to get out of here!"
Suddenly, the elevator lurched and brought me up to the second floor, which wasn't my destination, but I was hopeful. Then the door OPENED! I hopped off, and warned the woman on the second floor, who had obviously called the elevator up there, NOT to step into the elevator. I took the stairs the rest of the way up, and stood near the hallway window, taking deep breaths of wonderful, brisk Fall air, trying to calm myself. I couldn't believe I was free!
And in that building in particular, I'll be taking the stairs from now on!
(p.s. I realize that I simplified this experience for my blog. If anyone thinks it was a short and sweet happening...I must tell you that I needed to keep my bedroom window wide open that night in order to sleep and spent the next couple of days reliving it in my mind and taking extraordinarily deep breaths to calm myself.)

Flu shots, quick and easy

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:31:00 +0000

We've been hearing about the need for a flu shot in the press lately and I did get one last year. Slowly, I began to realize that others in my family had taken care of getting theirs; but I lagged behind. Everywhere I went last week, I noticed signs advertising flu shots. There's a walk-in clinic that I pass frequently and also pharmacies nearby, such as Walgreen's and CVS.
I even noticed the pharmacy at Stop & Shop had a sign saying that the flu shot would be only $10 with your store card.
A couple of days ago, I stopped in to Walgreen's and asked if I could get my shot. The pharmacy assistant told me that the pharmacist would be back in one hour. I really didn't have time to wait, so I continued on my way. This morning I used the internet to look up locations and made a couple of calls.
Stop & Shop didn't have the needed pharmacist there today. He'd be in tomorrow and as always they said "It's best to call ahead." Hmmmmm....Ok, stopping in didn't work the other day, but I gave Walgreen's a call. "Yes", the person on the phone said,"we're giving out the shots today." I headed right over there. Their price was $24.99; but I decided that it's better to get the shot and quit shopping around and hoping to catch an appropriate time at another location.
After filling out a page about general health, medications and naming my primary care physician, I was told to sit down and they would call me. Four other people followed suit and we all waited. After about 5 minutes I was called in and was given my flu shot. It was quick and painless and I was on my way....hopefully guarded by at least one strain of the flu which may visit us this year.
I really liked the convenience of being able to get routine medical treatment at various locations, as compared to securing an appointment at a doctor's office and waiting around. I think this idea has become popular and well-received by most people. You kind of have the feeling that it's just part of your shopping day!
Although I had to pay cash for the immunization, I would have had to pay a co-pay amount for an office visit at the doctor's office anyhow, so it actually just about evens out.

must never stop exercising......must nev....ZZZ ZZZZ

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0000

But....what if I'm not ready?

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:09:00 +0000

She's been waiting for today.....
Of course I'm happy for her. This is what she's been wanting as she waved good-bye to her brother for the past couple of years as he left on that bus.
But all I could think about today...was when she was born. I was right there as she took her first breath. The pediatrician came in to check on her and raved about how beautiful she was. And she was...with those long black eyelashes resting on fat little cheeks. She was breathtaking. Feisty and determined and sweet -- that's T-Dogg.
Two years ago, when I lost my job, I could at last spend time with her. We read and talked and played games. We went to her favorite place Thubways (Subway) where she always charmed them out of a free cookie by batting those eyelashes. I let her make a lot of her own decisions. We visited Great Nana and we went to the park. Sometimes we just watched TV or giggled and acted silly. We even have our own secret code words that no one else really knows about.
But today, she got on her sparkly pink shoes, her new backpack, kissed me good-bye and walked right out of my life as she boarded that long-awaited bus.
There's a reason that grandparents take it harder than parents when the bus arrives. Grandparents aren't as tired... and they realize that the days are shorter and that climbing the steps of that bus signals an end that came too fast.
I said "Angels -- Go with her!" just like I always say about her brother. (and always said about my own kids)
Good-bye Tay.

Labor Day Cookout

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 23:34:00 +0000

<---The hiding place
Bro & Sis, Chad and Lori
Distant cousins meeting for the first time
These babies are the descendants from Mit Laliberte and his brother, Leo Laliberte. My husband is the son of Leo. Patty is the daughter of Mit. These are grandchildren of husband, Bill and his cousin, Patty.
It's about time that they met.
They really enjoyed one another!

Real Food?

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:50:00 +0000

Thank God for sisters!

As you can see, this baby is stunned that he is being given something other than mushy cereal with other mushy things added, such as strained fruit or vegetables. He knew other foods existed, because he's been eyeing his family closely lately.....but today, well today his dreams came true thanks to his big sister.

They just got back from Outer Banks, N.C.

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Ice cream is great when teething

Taylor inbetween cousins
A boy and his mansion

Great shirt!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:55:00 +0000

Taylor rocking out to Jordin Sparks at Jonas Bros. concert in Boston

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Xander's sleep over at Nana's

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 12:20:00 +0000

The key to reaching something....is to swing those chunky legs over for momentum!

I'll hold that myself, now that I'm 5 1/2 months old, thank you......

A successful fishing trip!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:52:00 +0000

Swinging siblings

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 23:55:00 +0000

Xander tried Nana's swing for the first time. The other two were having a great time flying through the air.
I have room for one more kid.....just sayin'.

Trying sister's watermelon

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:09:00 +0000

He's waiting for his teeth.......

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:57:00 +0000

chomp, chomp

The Phillies are the season winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Markiesnana) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 04:50:00 +0000

Guess who's the big kid on the team? Yeah....that's my boy!