Opal's hat and sweater

Almost a year ago I began the cutest knitted project for my newest grand daughter.  This project began on the first big snow day in November 2012.

During 2013 October General Conference, I finally did all the finishing work.

The temperatures had dropped and it was time to warm her up.

The hat may be a bit large, but aren't those cherries the cutest?

Isn't that new one-year-old the cutest as well?

I found the patterns for the sweater and hat at Piper's Quilts & Comforts.

Each pattern includes variations and styles.

I went for the cherries.  Something about loving the color red and cherries.

If you are not into red nor cherries, other options included peas in a pod and roses.  Pattern directions for the knitting were a wee bit murky at times, but I muddled through.  Making something so cute makes my heart glad.

Snow days

Saturday we ventured north to Piper's in Sugarhouse.  I was in need of a new knitting project having finished one the night before.  A giant winter storm came through all of Utah last Thursday through Saturday morning.  Salt Lake City, Sugarhouse, and the benches were hit with an exceptional amount of snow.

It was a winter wonderland.

And Saturday afternoon it was enhanced by blue skies and some sunshine.

Have you ever noticed that some houses look exceptional with a frosting of snow?  I've decided that green homes and snow just seem to go together.

We drove the side streets just for the magic  of it all.

I've photographed this street before.

It's on the east side of the Liberty Ward Chapel near Liberty Park and where my son's family attends church.

This is how it looked last Fall.  I really am grateful for frequent visits to Utah to enjoy the seasons.

Here is the finished project.

A lacy knit baby afghan for my little winter baby, Opal.

It is frosty white like the snow out my window. . .

including the sparkle.

Yesterday I gazed outside my kitchen window in delight.  It was bitterly cold but the sun was out and glitter was falling from the sky.  I don't remember ever seeing that before, tiny little sparkle motes dancing down like sunbeams.

Busy Easter Weekend

Our Easter weekend began on Thursday evening as I traveled to Heather's school for her softball game. There would be no school on Good Friday, so all the grand girls met up at the game and then traveled home with me for an overnight and Friday play date.

Julianna and Sadie had a grand time moving sand while Heather played ball.

Ruby tried to teach them the nuances of bridge building but they were more into hole digging.

Heather has been enjoying a great softball season. The weather was just perfect for a game.

Friday they were up early and out in the garden where they picked and arranged floral bouquets.

The jasmine is now blooming and have taken over for the citrus for adding scent to the backyard. (The tiny white flowers in the middle.)

Once it heated up outside, we came in to make our own flower fairy dolls from a Klutz kit I had picked up in the children's section of the BYU Bookstore.

While the glue dried on their fairy dolls, they made funny faces.

See the little purse? Another BYU Bookstore bargain. I picked up several for just 99 cents each!


Can you pick out the flower fairies in this picture?

The girls went home late Friday afternoon and Grandpa Glen picked up the boys for an overnight on Friday. They were both such good sports. TJ went for the third time and Toby a second time to the Mesa Easter Pageant that evening. We had invited a family with boys to go with us and TJ and Toby helped make them feel welcome and comfortable.

The night was warm and beautiful and the pageant an engaging retelling of the life of Jesus Christ.

Saturday found grandma and grandpa regrouping and preparing for our traditional Easter dinner and front yard Easter egg hunt. This cute bunny filled all the eggs while grandma finished her knitting.

After dinner, Nathan once again hid the eggs for his niece, nephews, and son to find.

We were a bit short on family this year with Ryan and Emilia in New Mexico, Janae and Andrew on St. Kitts, and David and Sally traveling to Sally's parents in San Diego. And then to top it off, Julianna wasn't feeling well so we were also missing Julianna and Susan. There was room for everyone at the table!

Oscar buckled up his seat belt and went hunting for eggs.

He loved every minute!


His Lowe's car was the perfect vehicle for egg hunting!

There were plenty of eggs.

Some with $2 bills.

And in no time at all, they had all been found.

After the hunt, all enjoyed Glen's beautiful lawn and perfect temperatures.

I also sent them home with a hand knitted stuffed animal.

I found the free patterns here. There was a bit of discussion as to whom should get which critter. Which one would you have chosen?

After everyone went home, I filled the dishwasher with load number one of dirty dishes and went to bed. I slept really well! Good times!

Traveling with the girls

Sometimes I tag along in the car to Yuma with Sally and her girls. We meet up with Glen and Dave after their client meetings. I then hop in the car with Glen for a ride back to Mesa and Dave joins the girls for the remainder of their trip to San Diego and the other grandparents.

This time I took the middle seat so that I could watch this little one sleep or find her pacifier.

And this one who is great with buckling seat belts and running the DVD player. I picked her up from school today, early, the first time anyone has picked her up from school early. It made me a bit homesick for my elementary teaching days. She will have an extra week of Fall break.

Sally was our trusted driver and partial wedding planner.


Two great events are coming for she and her family the next two weeks. Tara, in white, will marry and their brother, Troy, will be returning from the Albanian Mission. This picture of Sally and her mother and sisters was taken at Tara's bridal shower during our last Utah trip.

I love this picture of Tara flanked by her grandmothers. How fortunate she is to still have them both in her life at this special time.


Yesterday Mabel's baby afghan was also delivered to her. Finally!


Since I learned to knit over a year ago, I have knitted rather than crocheted Oscar's and Mabel's afghans. The process takes a bit longer but I really like the results.

So, before I leave the girls, did you visit the "Ladybug Picnic?" To help in your viewing, look for numbers LP 129, 132, 134, 145, and 148.

Love my girls!

Some sock monkeys

No, the "R" and "H" don't stand for Ruby and Heather (they got tutus for their doll's ice stating outfits.) Yes, they do stand for Raymond and Henry. I've worked hard to finish them this week so that they can make it into the box leaving for St. Kitt's on Monday. I guess sock monkeys are most often made from socks, but I started from scratch so I guess I've been knitting socks, too. I also read "Becoming Jane Eyre" this week and there was a reference to the housekeeper knitting socks with four (or was it three) needles. Wow, now I know what that is all about and might I add, it's pretty hard going at the beginning of all those legs, arms, and tail (yes, they each have a tail which I slide through the slates so they would stay upright for their first formal picture :) As I wrangle four needles, I find that either my fingers are in the way or perhaps, that I need more hands. I'm not sure.

It was a free pattern at Michael's and I just couldn't resist. I hope that they fit in with all the monkeys on St. Kitt's!