Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas....

I love the holidays and Christmas is perhaps the most awesome example of family, love and celebration. This year I celebrated Christmas over the course of two days. Christmas Eve, Mom came to our house for a day of baking, dinner and gift exchange. The kids opened each gift with the excitement and anticipation that is only present in the innocence of childhood. Each gift was received with smiles and laughter that made my heart swell with happiness. Our family dinner was filled with a closeness that made every moment seem like an eternity of blissful feelings. The evening ended with a joy that I have not felt in a long time.

Christmas Day, we traveled to Jason's parents house in the hometown where he and I grew up and though the celebration was small, the same bliss and joy experienced on the previous night was present and all seemed perfect. I visited my uncle's house, spent last night with my cousin and her family and look forward to a family BBQ this afternoon. Just when I think that life can't get any more perfect, it does.

Such magic can only be found in perfect holidays like Christmas.

~Patty

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving Weekend...A Time For Family.

Following our wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner last Thursday, Jason, the kids, and I headed up to our hometown to see more members of our large families. My father, Uncle Horace, cousin Jennie Sue and a friend, Deanna, traveled down to South Texas from Indiana following my Uncle Donald's heart attack early last week. Thankfully, Uncle Donald has recovered and left the hospital on Wednesday. Even though the trip was impromptu, it brought us all together. Jason's family was also well represented by his parents and Aunt Dessa. On Friday, my three cousins, Tami, Jennifer, Jennie Sue and I went out for the evening. Guided by my father, we went to a club that my dad frequented for nearly 20 years. We sat around a table, told stories and laughed the night away. I really needed the night out. It's been so long and Jason graciously took the children to his parents' house so that I could have be free to enjoy the evening. Saturday morning, Tami, Jennifer and I took our kids (7 total!) to the zoo and had such a great time. The kids were so happy, as was I and we hated that we had to leave that afternoon.

Thankfully, Jason, the kids and I are heading up that way for Christmas and I am sure that we will have a great time then as well.

~Patty

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving. Tons to be Thankful for Indeed.

Today, my family gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. While the gathering was small (only 6 of us), we had wonderful fellowship and a great meal. Jason cooked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, and rolls. I contributed pecan and pumpkin pies and Mom brought a ham. Everything was perfect!

I have so many things to be thankful for this year. First of all, I have a wonderful husband and 3 beautiful children. My family keeps me going. Everyday, they are the reason I get out of bed and without them, my life would be pointless and void. I am also thankful that I can see my Father tomorrow. I haven't seen him in 2 years and I have missed him dearly. Finally, my Uncle Donald was released from the hospital yesterday following a heart attack earlier this week that he was not expected to survive. Thanks to his extraordinary will to live and our prayers, he is recovering nicely. Hopefully, he will be able to visit with us this weekend.

Tomorrow morning, Jason and I are going to shop during Black Friday and then will load the kids in the car and travel to our hometown to see his parents, my dad, uncles and cousins. I am so excited!!

As I said, I have tons to be thankful for and I am counting every blessing today.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

~Patty

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Mom's Shawl is Complete.

I've been working on a shawl for my mother for Christmas and though I've had so many obstacles along the way, I finally was able to finish it yesterday. I used the simple pattern of 10.5 needles, cast on 60, garter stitch until it's 60 inches, then add fringe from Lion Brand: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60085A.html?noImages=


The shawl came out very well and I am sure that Mom will love it!

~Patty

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Sunday Morning...Cool and Crisp

I woke up this morning early and discovered that cool, crisp weather had arrived overnight. In the area where I live, cool weather is extremely rare so every time such weather happens, I treasure every minute of it. The wind is calm and the air is still so I am enjoying a peaceful Sunday morning. Peace and tranquility are always welcome in my normally chaotic life and mornings like this are welcomed with happiness and bliss.

~Patty

Friday, October 16, 2009

Friday...the End of Another Hectic Week.

Just when I think that I have reached my limitations, a task arrives that further pushes me to new heights. This week's new heights task can be basically referred to as Wednesday. The whole day was made up of errand after errand after errand and just when I thought I couldn't accomplish everything, I came through another task with flying colors. Personally, I believe that everything happens for a reason and our daily trials by fire only exist to prove to us just how strong and resilient we really are. Given the trials I faced this week, my strength is nothing shy of Hercules himself.

~Patty

Friday, October 9, 2009

TGIF....At Last!!

This past week has proved to be quite a challenge. It all started on Wednesday. For some reason, Murphy's Laws (check here for further clarification: http://www.murphys-laws.com/murphy/murphy-laws.html) were quite prevalent on Wednesday and by day's end, I felt that I had singlehandedly fought each battle on my own. Yesterday was also wrought with obstacles, but on the bright side, I did manage to finish all of my housework and laundry. Now, today is Friday and I plan to spend it enjoying the tranquil atmosphere that the weekend brings at the end of each tumultuous week.

Next week will be better, I'm sure of it. :)


~Patty

Sunday, October 4, 2009

A Little Purple Flower and An Elvis Mug....Sunday Morning at its Best.

This morning began simply enough. A bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee gave me the energy I needed to start my day. Then my children woke up and reminded me of why I give each day my best effort. The middle and youngest child went outside to pick up our Sunday newspaper and my princess came into the house carrying a purple flower that she picked for me on her journey to the end of the driveway. Though small, its simple beauty made me smile and realize that no matter how small, the gifts of the world demand our devotion.

I am drinking my coffee from one of my two favorite mugs and as I look upon the pictures of Elvis depicted on the mug, I remember how important music is to my life. Music is one of the many things that connect us to one another and no matter your lot in life, you can always relate to your fellow man through the magic of music. The complexities of life can often be overwhelming, but when one meditates on life's simple things, the complexities can become less complex and life can become much easier. Everyday is a challenge and if I can untangle the arduous obstacles everyday, then I can be victorious.

~Patty

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Early Saturday Morning....All by Myself. :)

This past week has been so busy that I prayed for the weekend's arrival on Monday. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I haven't enjoyed the past week, but when 100 things are happening at once I need some time to reset. I love my weekdays and I love the responsibilities that I have each day; however, I woke up with a cold this week and it slowed me down quite a bit.

I went to sleep last night early and when I awoke this morning, I felt refreshed and at peace. Saturday mornings are magical. No matter what the previous week has brought you, Saturday mornings wash it all away. Right now, I am the only person awake and I am enjoying the quiet time that I have to myself. At this moment, I will close my eyes and take a deep breath. As I exhale, I feel it: tranquility.

~Patty

Monday, September 28, 2009

Green Scarf, As Made by Patty...


 

I found this Man's Scarf here http://south-mountain-naturally.blogspot.com/2009/01/man-scarf-1.html and I decided that it was the perfect scarf for Autumn. I began the scarf about a month ago and while the pattern seemed easy enough, I had to frog it 3 times before I was finally able to finish it. After the 3rd frogging, I was able to complete the scarf in one week's time and I am very pleased with the results. I used Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand Worsted Yarn in Olive and size 10 bamboo needles as recommended in the pattern. If you are in need of a scarf that can be made quickly that looks amazing for Fall, then I highly recommend this scarf!

~Patty

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Christmas Gifts....What Knitting is All About.

I'm working on knitted Christmas gifts for my parents and in-laws. While the Lions Brand Prayer Shawls http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60085A.html?noImages=  for my mother and mother-in-law are progressing nicely, the Vintage Man's Knitted Scarf http://www.sweatergirlknit.com/uploads/2/4/8/9/2489734/4202.pdf for my father has proved extremely tedious. I'm 3 months in and I'm just a little over 1/3 of the way done. The dimensions seem easy enough, 11" by 45", but given the fact that I am using size 2 knitting needles and had to cast on 80 stitches while working in an alternating 5 row K5, P5 pattern, the endeavor is taking a very long time. Each 5 row pattern is 1/2 an inch so I must complete 10 rows per inch. I know I shouldn't worry because Christmas is still over 3 months away, but I worry that I will not be finished in time. I love knitting and the more projects I complete, the happier I am, but this current set of projects has me a bit stressed. I know, just finish them one at a time and stop worrying about it. Easier said than done. Much easier said than done.Breathe in. Breathe out. There, that's better.

~Patty

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

RIP Patrick Swayze

When I was a young girl age 13, I had a crush on two Hollywood Heart Throbs, Patrick Swayze and Johnny Depp. Over the years, my feelings for these two men have never faltered. Today, one of those beautiful men has passed away. Patrick Swayze had such an amazing presence in Ghost and Dirty Dancing that I bet any woman who was a teenager when these films came out have forgotten "Nobody puts Baby in the corner" and "It's amazing, Molly! The love inside, you take it with you." My heart aches today for this man and his loss will always be part of my life. Goodbye, Mr. Swayze. May your journey to the other side be as beautiful as your life here on Earth!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Sarah's Brunch Birthday Party

Rather than make Sarah wait until tonight to have her party, we decided to include it into our wonderful family tradition: Saturday Brunch. Though the party only lasted a few minutes,  because as soon as Sarah opened her gifts she ran to her room to play with them, it was one of the sweetest and no doubt most joyous experiences of her young life. As I type this, she is in her room playing with her toys and constantly expressing how happy she is on this day. I am so glad that she is happy and I will look back on this day fondly for many years to come. Many Happy Returns, My Princess!!

 
  
~Patty

Friday, September 11, 2009

Early Morning Rain a.k.a. Bullets from Heaven

All this week, I have enjoyed the rain that has fallen from the normally sunny sky. This morning as the week reaches its conclusion and the weekend is quickly approaching, heavy rain drops have fallen from the sky like Bullets from Heaven. Not bullets that harm, but bullets that cleanse, clearing a path for new growth and new life. I took some pics from my front door of the beautiful, powerful, cleansing rain.
 
  
Though the rain has cleared up a bit at my home, the rest of this fair city is experiencing Mother Nature's purest elixir as it falls to Earth and brings healing and renewal. Healing and Renewal that was long overdue in this desert-like climate and seemly unending drought. 
~Patty

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Sarah's Birthday...Nostalgia at its Best.

Five years ago today, I gave birth to my 3rd child. I had been so excited for her arrival because after two boys, ages 7 and 4 at the time, I really wanted a girl. The delivery was easy and she was as beautiful as her father and I had hoped. Over the last five years, she has brought our family so much joy and on this day, I look back through the years and I realize that though she is no longer a baby, she is exactly what I imagined that she would be. On Saturday, we will celebrate her birthday together as the strong family unit we have always been. She is my daughter, my princess and my heart. With tears in my eyes, I am remembering the baby that she was, the girl she is now and the woman she will one day be. Happy Birthday, Sarah!

~Mommy

Land's End FeelGood Campaign

Between now and September 16th, Land's End is donating one cone of yarn to the Warming Families Charity, a charity that provides warm clothing to the homeless, for every blog written about the campaign. In exchange for each post being submitted to Twitterparty@landsend.com, the poster will be entered in a drawing for items from the FeelGood Collection valued at $200.

There is a Land's End FeelGood Twitter Party on September 16th from 7 t0 9 Pm at #landsend.

Please consider blogging about this wonderful campaign and attending the Twitter Party.


~Patty

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

First Entry

I've decided to start blogging again given all the random thoughts that race through my mind at a given moment. I hope you like it....better yet, I hope you read it.


~Patty