The Power of Love...

I fall in love with The Old Girls over... and over... and over...  For those of you who don't know, The Old Girls are our multi-family treasures in the National Historic Districts where we live.  This one is a duplex built in the 20s.  People frequently ask if they were originally single family; the answer is no.

There were some amazingly elegant duplexes and fourplexes built in Tyler during the early days of its growth... and the oil boom....

Then, there was the decline of this wonderful old neighborhood, just as in many others across our country.  Revitalization slowly began in the late 70s.

Even after the revitalization of this area and the designation as historic districts, the multifamily properties often languished... disdained by neighboring homeowners and bled out by uncaring investors.  I hated them too... however, I've always believed if you don't like something, you need to work to do something about it or quit your 'fussing'.  ;)

So, six years ago, this was our first Old Girl to "bring back".  The floors were sagging and covered in filthy carpet... the walls had cheap paneling... what paint there was was curled and flaked... F.I.L.T.H... and neglect. 

But her ailing bones were magnificent.

While we did have to add these things to modernize the kitchen, there are still the original cabinets, sink and countertop (had to add dishwasher... who wants to wash the dishes)... 

My one regret was the choice of this vinyl for the kitchen, bath and utility room.  Still hate it.

We had to replace the sink and toilet, but retained the tub and added subway tile for the shower surround.  We almost always add beadboard to the baths along with the sheetrock.

We added crown molding to every room (I cannot have rooms without crown molding), sheetrock to the walls, ripped out the carpets and had the floors stained and refinished.  We won't talk about the jacking up of the floors and adding piers or the plumbing issues or the electrical work.  ;)

As Evan and I walked through it last week getting ready to lease it again, he said he STILL can't believe how it used to look and how it does now... I just fall in love all over again...

Such a sweet, young couple... full of hope and dreams... bright and shiny stars... moved in this past weekend.  We have been so blessed by the people we have met and by the honor of being caretakers for these beautiful Old Girls. 

The power of love is a good thing.

blessings ~ tanna

Enough...

It's been so long since I've made a post, I feel like I've forgotten how.  It started with a self-imposed "break" from my computer.  I allowed myself only 30 minutes early in the morning to check e-mails and whatever other quick peeks I could squeeze in to that half-hour.

I also took a four week break from knitting in my effort to get things done that I do NOT enjoy doing.

There has been closet cleaning, laundry room organizing, pantry cleaning, three Old Girls getting face lifts (exterior paint and repairs), tax filing, golf tournament playing, visits to the Little Men, their visits here, visits to the Little Lady, celebrations of SIL finishing his chemo, celebrating birthdays and I CONSTANTLY feel like there isn't enough time... enough energy... enough focus... but, there is.  God always gives me enough... sometimes I think there isn't, but there is... enough.

Anyway, I stayed gone so long it feels a little awkward to try to get started back.  I have loved your e-mails, your messages, your kindness.  I have missed you.  I'm going to try to breathe-in and know that there is enough... and I that can do this, too. 

Thank you, again.  blessings ~ tanna

21,618 Stitches of Love

I've made this pattern once before... in hopes... of a tiny granddaughter.

This time, each of the 21,618 stitches were crafted especially for a Little Lady on the way...

I enjoy knitting love and hope and blessings and prayers into a garment... and this one brims over with those.

The pattern is the Clara Dress by Karin Vestergaard.  The yarn is Madelinetosh Light, color - iceberg.

Of course, then there needed to be shoes...

I hope you dance, dear granddaughter of mine...

Love, Noni

Moments...

Occasionally in life, we are blessed to witness moments...

Moments lives irrevocably change...

Moments you can almost hear a heart's seams rip as it swells with an exquisite, indescribable, unequivocal tenderness and... your own heart rips a little more with that same sweet tenderness...

Moments you witness a love born that will place another's needs above one's own... a love that will press on in times of exhaustion, frustration, hurt and sometimes hopelessness... A love that will endure and grow and carve your soul into the one God intended...

A love that will give you more joy... and grace... and moments of pure delight than you ever knew existed... and, yes, more heartaches and worry and concern.  A love that will stretch and challenge and fulfill you beyond your wildest imaginings. 
A love that finally illuminates a pale understanding of God's love for us.

A moment of knowing your child owns that kind of love.

August 31, 2012 we welcomed our newest grandchild... She is an angel, just like all the rest... More precious than I could ever have words to express. 

My heart is full...

Blessings to all ~ tanna

Zipping Along...

While trying to zip along in my "chore knitting" I've enjoyed seeing some fun things along the way... including this cute bear knitted by the owner of our LYS (local yarn shop), Regina.  He is precious!  She is a very creative soul. 

One more down!  This pattern is Baby Sophisticate by Linden Heflin.  A top down raglan, it requires no seaming (other than very small holes in the underarms)!  I am a fan of no seams!!

The yarn is Ella Rae Classic Superwash Chunky in a heather gray.  VERY soft.

Nope, it's not fall here yet... the leaves are dropping because of the heat and trees still not recovered from last year's brutal heat and drought.

Then, there is this one... started in jury duty this week.  I can tell I'm going to love it.  (but... is there a knitting project I don't love??)

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!  blessings ~ tanna

M.O.T.I.V.A.T.I.O.N.

When I saw there was going to be a Mystery Knit Along named Out of Darkness by Boo Knits starting on August 25, I knew it was the perfect motivation for finishing all my UFO (unfinished objects) and my "chore knitting" a.k.a. anything other than a shawl.   Boo Knits most frequently uses this Tussa Silk by Dye For Yarn... Now, I really have motivation!  My first Tussa silk.  I still need to find 700 beads for this little mystery...

And... finish up my UFOs!!  I did get this one finished.  Schwaan by Nora Gaughan.  Info here on Ravelry.

This is a very quick knit (though it took me months to finish it!) worked with a double strand of linen and cotton.

One more down, a few more to go!!  I did have one slight diversion detour from finishing my chore knitting I will share later.  ;)  Now, on to the day!!  blessings to all ~ tanna

The Garter Stitch: A Love Affair

My very first experiences with knitting were as a child.  And, the first stitch I learned was the "knit" stitch.  If you only do a knit stitch, the pattern created is called a Garter Stitch.

My first projects seemed crude... slippers with heavy yarn.  On one hand, I was excited to learn something new... on the other, the crudeness did not strike joy in my heart.  This experience gave me a certain disdain for the simplicity of the Garter Stitch.  I wanted "more", less simple, more complex, less basic... it was years before I would go back to learn the more complicated.  And, even more years before I could appreciate the joys of simple...

This year, through the Color Affection, the Heartbreak, the Wingspan, and the Sothia, my love and appreciation of this simple pattern has grown to full blown adoration.

It can be rustic and vintage and textured and beautiful... Compared to the precise dance of lace knitting, it is the long, slow run... the soul renewing walk... the deep breath...

Yep, it is a new love affair for an old lesson...

This is made from a free pattern by Lion Brand, called Colorplay Hoodie, knitted in their Amazing yarn in a colorway called Joshua Tree.  Machine washable.  Dry flat.

(I'm behind on my baby knitting for friends!!  And, trying to catch up!  Those shawls just draw me like a moth to the fire. )

Here's to finding new appreciation for things once looked upon with disdain... ;)

blessings to all ~ tanna