Random Acts of Kindness Adventure 2015

I'm joining Betsy at My Five Men for her Random Acts of Kindness Adventure.

This is a semi-random act... prepared the same way as my first RAK.  

I chose to add it to the windshield of the first car I came to with a carseat...  It is a hard and sometimes thankless job tending and loving the young.

Though parenting has its own very rich rewards... it never hurts to have a little encouragement along the way...

While this is the only random act in my week, thinking of Betsy's RAK helped me to really focus on kindness while working my night at the food bank...

and to remember to call a neighbor to see if I could pick anything up for them at the grocery during the ice and snow...

and to let our plumber and floor guys know how much I appreciate their good service and work.

This is a super busy time for us and it was good to have this reminder...

Thank you, Betsy.

blessings ~ tanna

Good Intentions.... and Random Acts of Kindness Week 2

My Random Act of Kindness (by Betsy) fell by the way of good intentions this week... Just like this photo I took last spring and intended to paint... well, the good intentions get you no where... it is the doing that makes the difference.  Seems like EVERYTHING this week went askew of the intent.

BUT, Dotsie (Podso) sent me a link that has one of the most beautiful writings I've read about LOVING Acts of Kindness... note they were not random.  I've been thinking on this all week.  It is a wonderful read.  So, I'm passing it on... Thank you, Dotsie.

Betsy, I'm going to try to do better next week!  Thank you so much for hosting such an inspiring project!  (I'll have to do 2 next week!  ;) )

blessings ~ tanna

Rays of Light, Mojo and Little Loves...

These beautiful rays of sunlight on a frosty morning foretold a beautiful day to come... full of sunshine and warmth... I loved it!

And, the knitting mojo... well, it's getting there. Though there may have been an incident of backing out a few rows... I'm just sayin'...

This alpaca is SOOOOO soft.  I think I am going to love this one!  (I hope.  I seem to have a love-hate relationship with sweaters... we'll see.)

Then, there were a couple of SWEET, SWEET Valentine's that arrived a little late, but not a bit less appreciated!!

I hope some beautiful rays of sunlight shine on your life today... and wish warmer days for those in the extreme cold.

blessings ~ tanna

Slice of Life Smiles...

Slices of life that make me smile... don't you just love phone-photos for those?

Early morning stories...

Valentine Mail Boxes that look JUST LIKE Darth Vader!

Sunshine and swinging...

Chi Chi (still) helping to find lost socks...

And, boys who LOVE snow!!

Hope you savor a slice-of-life-smile-moment this week, too!

Blessings ~ tanna

Happy Valentine's Day!

These ladies were The CUTEST flower delivery folks EVER!! I told them I loved the flowers, but they topped any flowers I'd ever received for spreading the Valentine's Day JOY!! Absolutely LOVED them!

Happy Valentine's Day!

blessings ~ tanna

Random Acts of Kindness Adventure 2015...

Betsy, at My Five Men is hosting a Random Act of Kindness project for the Fridays in February. Betsy is an amazing mother and wife.  Her blog has been a LONG TIME favorite of mine.  She has such a kind heart and sees beauty in everyday life in a way that inspires the rest of us to do the same.

So... I had some little hearts I had made for an event that I was unable to attend...

Added just a tad of watercolor fun...

A simple cardstock backing... with one of my favorite scriptures...

Taped them together...

And, sacked it all up in a vellum envelope... I love vellum.  ;)

Then, it was ready to drop off... in a mailbox of a little lady I do not know...  I frequently drive past her home in my weekly travels; and, during the early hours of summer mornings, I would see her working alone in her yard... Her well-tended yard.

I just hope it made her smile... and not think some crazy was out there dropping things in her mailbox.

This little heart is fun to make and a free pattern: Granny Sweet Heart Pattern by Nancy Drew.  I left off one row since it was as big as I wanted them to be.

I don't think Random Acts of Kindness need to be anything more than a friendly smile or a kind word... Kindness can CHANGE my day.  I believe even these small offerings can change other folks' day, too.  On my best days, I intentionally try to offer those tender mercies to those I meet.  Other days, I drink them in like my life depended on that sweet kindness of strangers... 

I hope today you will fill or be filled...

Maybe, you will even join us...

"Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."  Hebrews 13:1-2

blessings ~ tanna

Better Late Than Never...

I made this little Baby Surprise Jacket in 2012 the year Miss B was born knowing it was going to be too big for her to wear for awhile.

I had planned that it would be the perfect Easter-week jacket for last year (she would be a little over 18 months).

But, then there was the selling of two houses, the moves and starting the  remodel ...

And, the little Baby Surprise Jacket was long forgotten in the knitting supplies...

Then, last week I had the opportunity to spend the day with Miss B.  Her Dad hadn't packet a jacket... and Noni remembered!  It was a perfect fit!

She could have gotten a whole other year of wear had I thought of it last spring... but, better late than never!! hee hee

You will notice we had her hair braided fresh out of the bath... only lasted about ten minutes.  Ha! Busy girl!

"Each moment in time we have it all, even when we think we don't."
~ Melody Beattie

blessings ~ tanna

Knitting and Crochet Review 2014

This is probably the prettiest thing I made in 2014.  The pattern is labeled for experienced knitters... I learned several new things and was very happy with the shawl. Beautiful design:

Green the Whole Year Round by Anna Yamamoto

And, then there was the delve into the world of crochet.... Through MULTIPLE baskets....

Chunky Crocheted Basket by Elizabeth Trantham.

If I'm perfectly honest, my fling with crochet has been a little humbling...

I had turned my knitterly nose up at crochet pretty much that same way I had the garter stitch (another humbling experience)...

They seemed too remedial... too old fashioned... not quite stylish and modern (coming from someone who loves all things old)...

Whatever you want to call it, I am positive some of you other knitters know exactly what I'm saying...

Well, I developed an all out love affair for the simple garter stitch a couple of years ago...

Victory Wrap by Erika Flory

And, I'm pretty sure my fling has grown into a lasting love of crochet....



Viking Baby Hat by Kat Kennedy

But, like my appreciation of the simple garter stitch will never outshine my love of a little lace...

Echo Beach by Kieran Foley

My new found love of crochet will never replace my love of knitting....

Hitofude Cardigan by Hiroko Fukatsu

A little knitting AND crochet fun... another basket and a white pumpkin...

Big Pumpkin

My uniform of this fall and winter!!  The Big Box.  Ha!

Espenson by Cirilia Rose

I made a passel of these pillows, too... Even one that never got photographed... They were so much FUN to do!

Blooming Flower Cushion by Lucy of Attic 24

Then, of course there was the blanket that started it all...

Mixed Stripey Blanket by Julie Harrison

And, I couldn't resist a little Hippy Love (and used some stash yarn!!  Yea!) Only took 2 days to make! Fast and fun.

Sedona Vest by Taylor Tengelson

Another stash buster... cast on 62 stitches and kept on going with double crochet through two skeins of Noro Silk Garden Sock.  Love it.

Easy as Pie... me  ;)

My last basket of the year... done with so much love...

One more Flower Cushion....

And, one more Big Box... a second Espenson.  Can I say I have worn the tail off these two!!

Well, I think that wraps it.  2014 wasn't as productive as some other years... but, there was a lot of Basket Therapy happening in The Lost Year!  Ha!

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."  
~ Henry David Thoreau

blessings ~ tanna

A Special Thanks and A Busy WeeK

Sending a very, very special thank you to Deb of Just Cats... and Tea Cups.  Deb lives in Ontario and is in the process of making a very big life change with her dear husband, beautiful cats and faithful dog.  I am looking forward to sharing her journey as they move to the country and live in The Mouse House (carriage house) while they are building a home.  Deb has the sweetest spirit and shares beautiful photos...  I always love enjoying a cup of tea with her.  ;)  There is always something yummy on her saucer.

And, since I was fortunate enough to win a give away Deb recently had on her blog, I will particularly enjoy sharing a cup of tea with her.  Thank you so very much, Deb.

Along with the deep appreciation, I am sending sympathies for the loss of one of her dear cats, Lily. It is so hard to say good-bye to pets who are like family.  

As for the busy week... one of our Old Girl apartments had a tenant move out who had been there since we before bought the place.  We ripped up the carpet and found damage from wetness... hard to say how the tenant got it that wet. But, the hardwoods are now scheduled for sanding, staining and refinishing as soon as the painting is finished.

I had a helper in Little Miss B.  Yes, we were eating junk food; it was fast and only a couple of blocks from the Old Girl.  These kind of weeks strain the healthy eating plan.  ;)  And, yes, our little Tomboy has bumps and scratches.  LOL!

Meanwhile, miles and miles away, these two are taking swim lessons!  It is entirely TOO COLD for their Noni to like their swimming even in an indoor pool.  Ha!  I think Roo feels the same way while Alex seems to be delighting in it regardless!  He is our water child!  Hot.  Cold.  He doesn't care!  Bring it on.

Then, there is is the issue of a yarn choice for joining these Bohemian squares.  My plan on the Corbet's Green has been thwarted... at least for the time being.  Any thoughts on one of these colors to join the squares?? BTW, do you see that shawl pattern to the top right of this photo???  Laura is instigating and enabling AGAIN! And, Melissa, of Girls in Sheeps Clothing... and a Few Boys, Too sent an e-mail with ANOTHER temptation. Love that about other yarn addicts.  LOL!

I was so excited to have a morning I could blog!  Now, it's almost over.  Time flies!

Hope you are all enjoying a wonderful weekend.  Thank you again for the beautiful saucer and teas, Deb.  I will most definitely enjoy them and think of you.

blessings ~ tanna