Lovin' the Booties

Everyone probably thinks I've gone crochet crazy, and they might be right. The booties and hats for the preemies have been a big part of my life lately. I have been giving them to the Neo-Natal Unit at Banner Desert through a friend of Robert's who works there. She has given me some good feedback and I know they are getting put to good use. With Easter coming soon, I wanted to do something a little special for those little babes, so I modified the colors a little on the pattern and came up with some lookalike Mary Janes and a pair of Tenny Runners. They were fun to figure out, and then finish. I will make some more if Edyta (Robert's friend) thinks they are okay.




I am glad to be able to do this right now. I remember my preemies, and there was just nothing that fit them except cabbage patch kids doll clothes. (kind of). If anyone is interested in learning how to do some booties and hats, just let me know. It is really a good way to contribute.

Earthquakes and Tsunami's

I have been reading the various accounts of the terrible earthquake and tsunamis in Japan on news sites and on the LDS Living Daily newsletter. As my heart goes out to the people of Japan I remember so clearly my years on Okinawa. Grumpy was stationed at Kadena Air Force Base and we went over when I was expecting R.B. About halfway through our tour of duty there, we finally got assigned to a house on base. We were at Camp Kuwai, which was the Naval Base and hospital where Jade was eventually born. I was so grateful to have a house with central air. I had been anxiously awaiting our turn to live on base. I distinctly remember standing on the front porch of our little two-story duplex and looking to my right. There was the main highway that ran the length of the island and then nothing but ocean. All I could think about was what would happen if a tsunami hit the island. I knew there would be precious little time to do anything, and I knew I couldn't get all the kids to safety. It was a terrible feeling and one that was never really far from my thoughts day to day. I prayed constantly that we would be spared the devastation of tsunamis. We had our share of typhoons, tropical storms, the humidity of hot summer days and the normal things specific to tropical island life, but we never had to go through an earthquake or a tsunami. We were very blessed.

I pray now for the people suffering the loss of family members, friends, homes and businesses. I feel so sorry for the things they have to go through now. I am so grateful our church is there helping with our humanitarian efforts and all those who are able to help those in need. Grateful all our missionaries serving there are safe and accounted for. I hope the people of Japan can feel the love of our members they strive to serve them now. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Steve, The Elk

Meet Steve, the Elk. He is a big, 6 point young bull that now graces the living room wall. I suppose he is handsome, as bull elk's go. He is Grumpy's first elk kill, and Grumpy is walking around with a big smile on his face to see his prize every day. I have nothing against the occasional trophy hanging on the wall, and it's on a very big wall that needed something to take up some space. In fact, after hanging it up Grumpy decided it looked "puny" on the wall because it is such a big wall. There is nothing puny about it. I imagine when we do look for a house, it will have to have at least one big wall in it to accommodate Steve. We decided to name the Elk so Rylee came up with Steve. She said it was a good name for an elk. I guess elk season is coming up again soon. I told Grumpy we only have room for Steve, so if he gets another one, it will have to go un-trophied. We both grew up in homes where there are trophies, so it isn't a big stretch to get used to Steve.

I, however have transferred some bad luck incidents in life to be Steve's fault, even though I know better, so it may take a while for me to really like him. I don't think my attitude will hurt his feelings much.

He is just hanging out with the fam.

The Art of Crochet

So long ago my patient Gramma Schnepf and my patient Mother taught me to crochet. My first lessons were in the cabin at Greer where there were no phones and very limited TV. I was maybe 9 or 10. I did chains and learned single and double crochet. I was "hooked" no pun intended. When I was about 11 Nana took me to the Showlow T,G&Y (a five and dime store of the past) and bought me yarn of my choice for my first afghan. It was lavender, pink and white. Wow. I crocheted on it for a long time, and I really can't remember if I ever completely finished it. I wish I had taken a picture of it, for it is long gone by now. The next time I began an afghan I was in college. I crocheted one in fall colors for Grumpy's Mom & Dad for Christmas while Grumpy was serving his mission. I did my first (and last) knitted afghan that same year for Nana and Papa. It was burnt orange, brown and mellow yellow. Again no pictures of either of those.

I made one that matched our apartment when Grumpy and I were first married. I do have a pic of that one, only because it has been lurking in a box or trunk for these many years. It was made from yarn bought at the supermarket as were my other previous projects.



In the next few years I was introduced to a better quality yarn at an actual yarn store. It is a bit more expensive, but wears so much better and retains a softness that the cheaper yarn does not through the years. My Mom was trying to guide my Gramma Schnepf into better color choices and better yarn for the many, many afghans she crocheted. She and my Gramma went to a yarn store and bought the better quality stuff. I could see the difference right away. She made some truly beautiful bedspreads and blankets for her kids and grandkids. I still have the ones she did for me and when I can unearth them from the boxes of storage I will get pictures of them.

When my kids started getting married, I decided to do afghans for them. I made Tawna and Nathan one in the zig zag pattern that I love to do so much. It's easy and fast and there is no set way. They have been enjoying it's warmth for about 14 years now. It's time for a new one for them.



I did one for Taya and her first husband Ryan about that same time in a different pattern. I later regifted it to Grandma and Papa H. as it matched their living room furniture perfectly. It was blue and rose and I hope I can get a pic of it one of these days. Summer was next and I did something different for her. I like making granny squares as they are small and travel well. I was going with Grumpy once in a while on his business trips, so I would take my yarn and hook along and do granny squares. I love the way they look when they are all put together. Stacie's afghan is made with granny squares also.




I started one for me and kept it going for several years. It's the one that went to hospitals, vacations, business trips and even some quiet nights at home. I treasure it for the many memories in it for me. I was determined to finish it before I started another one, as I had taken so long to get it done. Some of the yarn was even out of stock and I had to find alternate colors that would match well enough. I did get it done and immediately started one for Jade.



Jade's went pretty fast as I had two trips to Utah where I had many hours to work on it in the car. It was almost done and stayed that way for over a year. I finally got it out one night and just stayed up and finished it. She and her family get cozy under it for movies.



While we were staying with Taya's family, I needed a project to keep my hands busy. I went to the yarn store and got yarn for a new afghan for her. I finished it just after Christmas this year and was able to send it home with her when she travelled here in February. I know it is colder in California, and I know her family loves blankets. I hope it serves them well through the years.



I am doing a new one for Tawna now. I found a pattern that is called a YoYo afghan. It is very colorful and is made from scrap yarn. I have plenty of scrap yarn, but will add a few new colors as I know she has a bright color scheme in her home. I have to make over 1,000 yarn "yoyo's" and they go pretty fast. It will be a fun project. I am working on that and my baby booties/hat project, so am keeping my hands busy when it is quiet, or when traveling. I think a lot when I'm crocheting, and my thoughts often turn to the many beautiful handicrafts that Gramma Schnepf and Nana both made. I love the memories of those quiet hours spent learning the art of crochet from these talented women.