Hints of Fall

While most of my blog friends have been busy decorating for fall, I just haven't felt it.  We are predicted to set another record high today and our poor trees have been brown for such a long time... not fall-kind of brown, stressed-and-dying-kind of brown.  It really makes me sad.

But, there is rumor of a cool front blowing in tomorrow.  No promise of rain, but coolness.  And, I think that my compulsion impulse to lay down my soft blue alpaca project last night for this beautiful fallish, winterish color is the first hint that I may be beginning to feel like fall is on the way.

I am so excited with the way this has started out!!  I am simply lovin' it!  Hopefully, I will be posting a finished object soon.  ;)  It has been crazy busy with a new remodel in the works and the usual business of life. 

My friend, Patrice, framed another of my watercolors for me.  I'm getting in the mood for more painting, too.  The remodel project will have space for a studio to paint.  Motivation to speed along.  ;)

I did get another little Entrelac Hat made last weekend for one of my friends.  Susan, of Days at Buttermilk Cottage, has made some really beautiful ones, too.  Check them out if you get a chance.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!  Bring on the Fall!  blessings ~ Tanna

Happy Birthday, Amanda.

Thirty-five years ago today at 7:04 P.M., my life changed for the better.

My daughter, this Little Man's Momma, was born. 

Everything changed. 

There is simply no way to explain that kind of love... and it grows with each one.

It is just something you have to experience for yourself...

I am so grateful for her... and grateful that she finally knows how very much she is loved...

Happy Birthday, Daughter of Mine.  I am so proud of you... and, I love you more than I could possibly ever find words to express.  XOXOXOXO  Always and forever, Mom

Blessings to all~
tanna

Rolling with the Flow and Addiction Issues

Our local yarn store is shifting directions back to a focus on weaving, the owner's true love.  She will still carry some of my favorite yarns, so I will not be completely without supply.  But, I am addicted to the color, texture, feel, smell, and possibilities of yarn.  This has thrown me into a tailspin.

Which explains this giant trash bag full of yarn.  A full blown panic attack about whether I can get my drug of choice!  Now, this bag is full of angst... what will I do with this... how much will I need... too much... not enough... oh, but what about the ones I had to leave behind!  Panic, I tell you!

I keep waiting for myself to calm from this news.  I haven't yet.  I'm trying to roll with the flow.  But, change is not always (read seldom) easy for me.  I have loved gathering there with my friends over the past two years.  Change can be for the good and I know this will be fine... I'm just not there today.

In the meantime, I have started to work on this beast this beauty!  LOL!  I am excited to see it progress.  Knitting time has been sparse lately (along with blogging time).

I have finished Phase I  and look forward to showing you the finished project (still have Phase II and Phase III to go!

Learned a new trick of the Kitchner Stitch... an invisible (well almost) between these two panels.  Have I mentioned I love driving myself crazy challenging myself with learning new things?

I also had one of my paintings framed to stir that addiction... just in case I need a diversion from not having my knitting spot.  ;)  Hope you are all having a wonderful week!!

blessings ~
tanna

Power Point Presentation from the Little Men.

Do you want to see what can make this Noni's heart beat nigh-on right out of her chest?  I had a text early yesterday from my daughter that the Little Men had sent me an e-mail.  I was away from home, had lots going on, but was excited to back to the house and see the e-mail from my Little Men.  It always means I get some good pictures of them! 

But, this time I had a power point presentation!   They had outdone themselves!  If I could have figured out how to get it on here, believe me I would have.  As, I read it I got too excited, then tried to caution myself not to read anything into it.  I had to call her just to see if it could be true (you might know, at first I thought it meant home for good).   

I LOVE THIS! 

little men's big adventure

ramblings of a road trip

Roo (Littlest Man): “I see you’re bound for Texas.”

Alex (Little Man): “Sure am. In fact, I’m headed straight for Noni’s. I figure if we leave now, we’ll make it there for Christmas.  Are you looking for a lift?”

Roo: “You better believe I am! Can you help a brother out?”

Alex: “Sure thing! Let’s get you loaded up. Good thing you’re small. The coupe doesn’t have that much space, you know.”

Roo: “Yes, it looks a little like Luigi. We’ll probably be past ready for the big open spaces of Texas after all this! At least that’s my assumption. I’ve never actually seen it, you know.”

Alex: “Just you wait! You’re in for the time of your life. Let’s go! Noni’s waiting!”

OH, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH NONI IS WAITING!!!  Now, there will be Christmas.  =)  Here is one of the powerpoint pages.  I have no idea how I mangaged to get one and had NO LUCK trying to get the second one.

Amanda, you really know how to make your old Mom's day.  Thank you from the very bottom of my heart!  YES!!  My Little Men are coming for Christmas!! 

I also want to make a special thanks to all who took the time to muddle through my last, long-winded post and gave such thoughtful responses.  I appreciate you so much.  I loved hearing about how blogging fit into your lives.  I'm so glad it does.

Hope each of you receive a gift of good news today...
blessings ~ tanna

Pond-ering

One of my newer young blog friends, Jennifer of JRU Studios made a post about Blog Reading Habits last week.  I found it very interesting and have continued to pond-er (ha!) my own habits, while becoming more curious about other's.  Jennifer is a wonderful and artistic soul.  Please treat yourself to a visit.

It is no secret that I started blogging as a way for my daughter and I to keep up with each other's lives after she moved away.  That remains one of my primary motivators.  But, blogging has grown to mean more to me than I could have imagined.

My choice of blog reading is very eclectic.  I enjoy a variety of types that range from far left to far right, from country to city, young to old, decadence to simplicity...  my own interests and some I'm not at all interested in ever doing.  LOL!  I like photography and knitting and art.  I love creating a home and all that means (though I am not a decorating person, I do like to watch others do it.  ;) ).  I love food for the soul and food for the body.  Family is important to me; which can look many different ways, but you know it when you see it.

I asked myself what the common denominator was... and it goes back to a recurring theme throughout my life: the fascination with the human spirit and those who desire to live their best and fullest life.  There are as many venues for that as there are blogs.

My dearest favorites are blogs (and the comments between the two of us) that have become a long conversation between friends...  A place where I have come to know and appreciate this person as a part of my life.  I stay engaged and continue commenting with people who respond and seem interested in developing that kind of connection.  Though not always the case, I will most times disengage if that does not seem true.

My reading habits vary with my schedule.  Most often, I read with my first cup of coffee.  I will read anytime I have a moment to take a break and sometimes at the end of the day.  Some days, none of that happens.  I prefer blog posts that aren't too long (Ooops!) or too frequent.  It becomes harder to keep up with everyone.

I enjoy commenting.  That has deep roots in my marathon running days.  I LOVED the encouragement I received from spectators on the sideline; that encouragement could lift me and give me new wind. 

And, I discovered when I would finish my marathon and could go back to encourage and cheer for others, that I LOVED CHEERING OTHERS EVEN MORE!!  After I stopped running marathons, if I was anywhere near one, I would go to cheer.  To see a tired and almost spent soul's eyes light and their step get a little stronger as you offer them encouragement, well you should give it a try sometime.  The gift will be yours to receive.  I will tell you I have shed many tears of joy as I cheered runners along the sidelines.  Oh, the beauty of the human spirit overcoming!!   Simply breathtaking.  Food for my soul.

A side note on that:  The really fast runners never really seem to notice the encouragement offered to them.  It is the mid-packers to back-of-the-packers who need that encouragement most.  I keep that in mind, too. 

My peeps are little different that Jennifer's.  I would love to hear from you on this topic.

• What makes you choose a blog to read? 
• What are you reading habits?
• What makes you leave a comment?
• Do you read without commenting (guess that one may be hard to get an answer for!)
• What does blogging mean to you?

Have a wonderful day.
blessings ~ tanna

Heads Bowed Remembering in Silence

A Thank You and a Must Read

I had the delight of finding a package in my mail from Ana, of A Petite Cottage.  She had written the sweetest note!  And, I could hardly wait to open each wrapped treasure.

First, there was this beautiful rose with a pearl center.  It is a pin that I will wear with great joy!

Then, there was the most delicate bracelet of intricately worked ecru.  Oh, my.  The button set everything off in a perfectly feminine and beautiful way... much like Ana is herself.  If you haven't met her yet, she is a sweetheart and you will be pleased you visited. 

Next, I have recently read one of my all time favorite posts.  Debbie, of No Spring Chicken, is a wonderful writer.  She is real and down to earth.  She loves the Lord and her life with her family.  Her poem today about a full-of-memory, heirloom spinning wheel just blew me away (so did the spinning wheel!).  But, the post I love most is:  Soul Food.  If you do any handwork, you will love it, too. 

Thank you to Ana, for the beautiful note and gifts!  And, thank you to Debbie for letting me share this with you!  Hope you all have a wonderful day.

blessings ~ tanna

My Pumpkins!

These are my Little Men Pumpkins.  The Littlest Pumpkin looks like he is not too thrilled about this postition.  The Little Pumpkin (according to his Momma who shot these precious photos) was, "All done."  Meaning that he was through trying to hold up his brother while his Momma tried tirelessly to get a shot with them both looking her way (so Noni could see them in their pumpkin hats).  LOL.

That's better!  Upright and smiling!  I think the Littlest Man may be catching up with the Little Man sooner rather than later.  He is growing like a weed!

Little Man is always so very busy.  He is his Noni's hard worker.  (note that "Speed," Lightening McQueen, is never far away)

He examines his food this way, too.  Inspecting every bite. 

I deeply appreciate my daughter's getting these great photos for me-- in spite of the deluge of rain they have been enduring enjoying.  I know she had to work for these!  Thank you, Amanda.

This pumpkin hat is so fun and easy!  If you are interested, the pattern, yarn and modifications are listed here, on Shush, I'm Counting.

Now, is that a precious smile, or what??  Three months old last Friday! 

I hope you will keep East Texas in your prayers tonight and in the days to come.  Fires are all around.  Lives and homes have been lost.  The firemen are exhausted.  We need rain.

blessings to all ~ tanna

      

Entrelac Hat, New Place To Yak and One of My Favorite Things in Rome

Made this Lady's Entrelac Hat last week.  I absolutely love watching the Noro Aya yarn (Colorway #9) work into the  different colored blocks in this pattern!  No, you do not have to change yarns; it just works up this way.

It becomes addictive as the rows near the crown as it moves faster and faster with the decreases!

This side has different color blocks than the ones in the first photo.  Too much fun!

My friends at Rose Path Weaving have invited me to share on their blog, Shush I'm Counting!  So, I hope you knitterly (I know that's not a word, but I like it) folks  and anyone who might be thinking of knitting will join me over there as I do a guest post or two... or three...  I hope you'll stop by and say hi!

I have to share one more favorite from Italy.  ALL throughout Rome there were water fountains; fountains fed by the Roman Aqueducts.  I LOVED them!  You could have fresh, cold water wherever you were.  Oh, how I would have loved these during marathon-training-days (no water bottle to carry!).  Evan and I availed ourselves frequently!  The secret is that you cover the bottom where the water is constantly flowing out and it pops up through a hole to create a water fountain.  How ingenious is that??? 

blessings ~ tanna

A Rare and Beautiful Love...

I had a fun post all ready for today.  A cute little project all finished and photographed and ready to share.  Even some fun new blogger friends to link up with.  But, my heart is heavy and I am sad.

We just came from a memorial service for a man I had, really, only just begun to know.  Let me start from the beginning. 

I met a woman almost two years ago, who I would work with closely as I chaired the Historic Tyler on Tour project.  She and I shared coffee together several times and continued to do so long after the project was over.  I came to know of her family, her interests, a few heartaches, and her love of life.  I also gleaned from our coffee shop conversations a deep love for her husband.  I came to consider her a friend.

What will be two weeks ago tomorrow, we shared dinner with her and her husband, along with two other couples.  It was a splendid evening full of laughter and conversation and incredible food.  The two of them had worked all day making cannelloni from scratch; it was sublime.  At the close of the evening, we toasted our hostess and host, appreciating their fine hospitality and generous spirits.  As wonderful as the evening had been (and, let there be no doubt, it was a fine evening) the dinner and hospitality were not what I had appreciated most.

The grandest thing about that evening was the pleasure of witnessing such a fine and special love between and a woman and a man: my friend and her husband.   I could so clearly see the deep love... and respect... and delight they had in one another; it just glowed around them.  It seemed I could have almost touched it had I tried.  There was a tenderness between them that absolutely filled the air... and my heart.  After we got back home, I remember sharing with Evan how much I had enjoyed seeing this and getting to know the husband a little bit, first hand.

Six nights later, he died in his sleep.  A perfect way to go.  One I hope for myself.  But, the sorrow and sadness and loss that my friend must feel...  I cannot imagine.   One of the things that makes me saddest is that I had intended all week to write them a note about how much we had enjoyed the evening... and how much I was blessed by seeing such a love.  I didn't get it done.

The service was beautiful.  Bagpipes.  Amazing Grace.  How Great Thou Art.  Wonderful slides of family memories.  And, the reading, a poem by W. H. Auden,  which struck the chord of deepest sorrow:

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone.
Prevent the dog from barking with a  juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling in the sky the message He is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, and my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever, I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun.
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

To me these words rang true as my friend's soul crying out... they could easily have been voiced from her heart.

I am so deeply sorry for her loss.

(thank you, Tesae for helping me with the author of this poem)