tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-355653572024-03-13T13:55:59.391-06:00RobinZnestAs a nest is created from bits and pieces of everyday things - so is this blog. Welcome to my nest!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.comBlogger490125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-71031914831556868742015-02-01T20:51:00.000-07:002015-02-02T19:42:47.552-07:00January Wrap UpOne of the blogs I follow, <a href="http://www.robinleehatcher.com/alphabet-thanks-a-through-k/">Robin Lee Hatcher</a>, (an author who lives here in Idaho) does a wrap up each month chronicling her monthly accomplishments. In an attempt to live a more organized life in 2015 I have decided to copy her idea.<br />
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Books Read:<br />
One of my 2015 goals is to read more and I think I have gotten off to a pretty good start. This month I have listened through <a href="http://www.audible.com/">Audible</a> to the second book in the Call the Midwife series, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Call-Midwife-Workhouse-Jennifer-Worth/dp/0062270044/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422846001&sr=8-1&keywords=shadow+of+the+workhouse">Shadows of the Workhouse</a>. I don't know if you have seen these shows on PBS or read these books, but if you haven't you need to do so now! They are true stories written by Jenny Worth, a nurse/midwife in the East End of London back in the 1920's and 30's. The tv show does a spectacular job but of course the books are even better. I have one more book in the series to listen to and I will be sad when it is over.<br />
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I have started to read the Mitford books over again, before reading the last in the series that I just got for Christmas, and this month I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/At-Home-Mitford-Years-Book/dp/014025448X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422846379&sr=8-1&keywords=mitford">At Home in Mitford</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Light-Window-Mitford-Years-Book/dp/0140254544/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y">A Light in The Window</a>. There is nothing more pleasant than a visit to Mitford!<br />
So far this year I have read three books.<br />
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Movies and TV Watched:<br />
I don't go to many movies but this month I have seen two; <i>American Sniper</i> and <i>Unbroken</i>. Both very hard to watch but very hard to quit thinking about as well. I experienced something I have never experienced before in a theater after watching <i>American Sniper</i>: complete silence. You could hear a pin drop. And as we filed out of the theater not one person spoke one word. It was a really strange experience. I have heard that has happened after many showings of this incredible story. I recommend both movies but be warned they are full of things I don't normally watch, torture, blood and bad language.<br />
<i>Parenthood</i> ended last week and it was so bittersweet. This is a series my whole family has loved and we have enjoyed watching it together so much. I was sad to see it end but I was so pleased and happy with how they did it. It was perfect and I have watched it about three times. <i>Downton Abbey</i> has not been as good to me this season. I'm not sure where they are going with it but I find that I need to make myself watch each episode - not a good sign.<br />
My new favorite show is <i>Fixer Upper</i> - I am completely addicted and wish there were so many more to watch. <br />
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Creating:<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>There is a privacy about it which no other season gives
you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each
other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches
when you can savor belonging to yourself</i>. ~Ruth Stout</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love this quote and I think it is why I have enjoyed creating things so much this season. </span> I have enjoyed belonging to myself and doing the things that make me happy and give me joy. I have had the best month ever in my sewing/crafting studio. With my 2015 goal of creating with what I have on hand and not purchasing anything new, I have been amazed at what I have been able to accomplish. In January I made<br />
* 1 mug rug<br />
* 1 table runner<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="150" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1487384_10153030685129696_8250122170983959685_n.jpg?oh=7af8877524243e895cdb76208f525466&oe=554DA46D&__gda__=1432538196_08ba687241e5a65f437620df2d87b8cc" width="200" /><br />
* 5 heart garlands<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="146" src="https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/544940_10153083044039696_841456324272444449_n.jpg?oh=8af4200ccf69d42c2c82e054b9ce1d4b&oe=55515D65" width="200" /> This photo has one of the heart garlands I made - in back of my five sweet grandbabies and 1 great nephew..<br />
* 1 valentine tree<br />
* 3 valentine candles<br />
* 1 baby quilt for a gift<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsq2m2MXnGQ/VNA1gPFekFI/AAAAAAAADMo/TMcjeWxRzdI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Lsq2m2MXnGQ/VNA1gPFekFI/AAAAAAAADMo/TMcjeWxRzdI/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" height="183" width="200" /></a></div>
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and since I haven't finished it I won't count it for this month, but I have started and made considerable progress on a quilt for my grandson Ryan - it is turning out to be far bigger than I expected.<br />
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Knitting - I have made a "wolf hat" for my grandson Aiden and I have started a sweater for me out of my handspun fleece from my sheep Ivy. I have processed this wool myself and it is turning out to be a course and rustic brown wool. My sweater will probably be more like a jacket but I am loving it and am excited to finish it.<br />
Spinning - I have spun about 6 ounces of my white sheep's wool. This fiber I sent to a mill to be processed and had them blend silk into it. It resulted in a super soft wool that has been a joy to spin. Eventually I will dye it - another process I will need to learn about as I have never done that before. I'm trying to decide what color and am leaning towards blue or teal. I am hoping for a kettle dye effect which is very tonal and rich in color. <br />
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Home Renovation:<br />
After living in our home for 15 years we are determined to do some inexpensive updates. In January we completed and installed a cupola on the top of our barn<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="149" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10915164_10153030774564696_8746303658141936222_n.jpg?oh=24eccbb1640de9aaed7798b5f54aa08a&oe=55220396&__gda__=1431296802_11f2d7c57e2c83d9ef17a80c9a6c5194" width="200" /><br />
and painted and re-decorated our laundry room.<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="200" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10271614_10153078585934696_8553494325330520699_n.jpg?oh=2d584d644a688ee1a912cbd4e1e7b550&oe=555D05C0" width="200" /> <img alt="" class="spotlight" height="150" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10957577_10153078585849696_8093682676463378798_n.jpg?oh=c0bddc470d245c41526a2cb9357cb38a&oe=5559E5F2" width="200" /> <img alt="" class="spotlight" height="150" src="https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/522145_10153078585789696_9192559816207747928_n.jpg?oh=5f371af64a70514c41551cc3e3a2158c&oe=555CD417" width="200" /><br />
I especially love the sliding barn door my talented husband made. It covers a storage area that is the underneath of the stairs. I am thinking about making it into a "secret room" for the kids, filled with books and beanbag chairs. It has been a fun endeavor and we look forward to completing some things we have lined up for the next few weeks.<br />
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Physical Activity:<br />
Not too much to brag about here but I did get my Fitbit out and wore it yesterday and actually took about a 20 minute walk yesterday. Now that the days are starting to get a bit longer I really intend to get into a regular walking routine.<br />
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All in all I feel like I have been very busy and productive this month. I look forward to what February holds! <br />
<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-13748229538301254422015-01-23T22:16:00.000-07:002015-01-23T22:16:12.026-07:00Time to CreateIn January, in our neck of the woods, we deal with what is known as an inversion It is when we go for weeks on end with no sunshine, deep fog, ice and all around miserable weather. Some people deal with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) during this dreary time of the year. I on the other hand, come down with a severe case of I Want To Make All The Things. I think it started some time in December when I was in my sewing studio making my annual Christmas ornaments for my daughters. My sewing studio is a room that was added on to the back of our garage. Over the years it has been a storage room, a spare bedroom, and an exercise room. Most recently I moved my sewing machine out there and have been slowing taking all my crafts from various areas of the house in an effort to have a single location of my craft goods. There are a lot.<br />
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In December as I was working on my ornaments I got distracted with organizing my room. I had a huge, coffin size tote filled to the brim with fabrics - some whole pieces and mostly scraps that I have held on to for about 30 years. Pretty much the time span of when I started sewing. I typically am known for throwing things away - I hate clutter, but that apparently doesn't hold true to my fabric. I form some type of emotional attachment and I just know I will use that 2 inch by 4 inch scrap someday. I just know it. I was looking for a particular red fabric I knew I had when I realized how futile it was to keep my fabric this way. If I couldn't see it, how could I use it. So I began organizing it. First I took all the small scraps and put them in a wire basket. Then I took all the pieces that were about 1/4 of a yard and folded and ironed them into rectangles and stored them all standing up in a wooden crate I had that is about 4 inches tall. Pieces that were 1/2 yard or more I folded in similar stacks and stored them in a larger wooden crate. I have almost completed this task and the result is that I now can see every color fabric I have available. My husband built me a 8 foot "floating" shelf and installed it. I can put all my fabric in one place and now I feel like I can shop in my own store. I have a couple more things to organize and then I will post some pictures. I am so happy with how it is turning out. It is actually beginning to resemble a place that is happy and cozy and very comfortable to spend my time in.<br />
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As I was organizing I realized how many patterns and kits and dreams of things I always planned to make and an idea began to form in my mind. 2015 will be the year that I create out of my stash! I am going to do my best to use what I have and not buy anything new. So far this month I have made a mug rug, a table runner, and three valentine garlands. I am well into a quilt for my three year old grandson and have almost completed a flannel baby quilt that will be a gift for a new momma this coming weekend. I have "shopped" through my own stash and have only spent about $35 total to purchase things like thread and stabilizer fabric - things I need to finish what I have started. I have been having the best time doing this! What is the point of storing all the stuff? If I need new fabric in the future I can buy it then - but in the meantime I am having a blast using what I have - I love the challenge of it all. <br />
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I also decided to start renovating my laundry room. I did purchase some paint and painted the room gray and used chalkboard paint to paint a huge chalkboard on one wall, my husband built another "floating" shelf, I threw lots of stuff away and organized what I kept. What a difference! There is a storage area in there - the underneath area of our stairs, that has had a huge, heavy board just propped against the opening ever since we moved in. It really is a dangerous thing as the wood is very heavy and nothing keeps it attached to the wall. We are going to hang it on a barn door slider and make it functional. Hopefully, I will have pictures to share of that very soon. I am not a painter - I hate to paint in fact. But the sad truth is that my husband hates it more. So if I don't do it - it won't happen. I am trying to convince myself that I really love to paint - I have several more rooms I want to renovate. So far I'm not buying it - but I am not giving up. <br />
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I know that soon I will be looking forward to planting the flower beds and filling the bird feeders but for now I am as content as can be - sewing, spinning, knitting, creating, painting, designing, cleaning, organizing......and the list goes on and on and on. <br />
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<br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-60581265869912298352015-01-11T20:31:00.001-07:002015-01-11T20:31:08.116-07:00Blowing Off the Dust<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8127430334288715089" itemprop="description articleBody">
<i>I wrote this post several days ago but it has been so long since I have blogged I have had a terrible time even figuring out how to access it! I made it though - so here we go!</i></div>
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It's been over two years. More than two years since I have written here
and still I can't get this place off my mind. Lately, I think about it
a lot and feel a deep desire to write again. So here I am. Rusty and
out of practice but with so many words swirling around in my mind,
trying to find a place to flow and sort themselves out into sentences
that have meaning and make sense.<br />
<br />
I love January 1 and clean slates and new beginnings. I love the
prospect of new mercies every morning! I love fresh starts and lists of
goals. So what better time to re-start writing in my blog? I have
lists and goals and ideas I want to put into words so here goes!<br />
<br />
Christmas this year was busy and crazy and as our family continues to
grow my house seems to continue to grow smaller. I am working hard at
being content with what I have but I must admit, a bigger house would be
a wonderful thing. Not a very probable thing as we are not that far
away from retirement - but a wonderful thing none the less. It is good
for life to get back into a routine but I have been busy planning out
the goals I hope to achieve this year. I am not a fan of the
"resolution" however, several years ago my good blogging friend, The
Butler's Wife (how I miss her blog), challenged me to find a Word for
each year. What a journey it has been! Last year my word was
Anticipate. I thought of all kinds of good things that I could be
anticipating. What happened was that I needed to relearn what the word
meant. I learned to anticipate Jesus in every situation, good or bad. I
began the year looking for an answer to a very deep and hard question
in my life. Today, I still don't have any clarity, but I do trust that
Jesus knows and I anticipate that at just the right time the right
answer will come.<br />
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My 2015 Word is Abide. I re-read the book Shepherd's Abiding by Jan
Karon as my Christmas book this year and the word stuck in my mind. I
began hearing it everywhere. Old hymns containing the word started
singing themselves in my mind. It's not a very common word so I began
to realize that God was speaking. In many ways Abide seems like a
continuation of the word Anticipate. As I abide in Him I can anticipate
so much. I am going to find every hymn I can with abide in it and use
them in my devotions. Abide. It is a lovely word.<br />
<br />
I have set some fun goals for this year as well. Being an avid knitter,
my sewing has gone a bit by the wayside. But for Christmas this year I
made three of my grandsons Quiet Books for gifts. Whew! What a fun
and exhausting project. Trying to work in my disaster of a sewing room
was challenging and in the midst of sewing I started organizing my room
which contains materials for every single craft I have ever done. I
began realizing just how much "stuff" I have and I came up with an
idea. For 2015 every single thing I sew or knit has to come from my
"stash". I will have to buy buttons and zippers and maybe some thread
to complete projects but I am not going to buy anything new to sew or
knit. What a fun challenge. Already I made a new table runner for my
dining room table using fabric and things I already had. I didn't have
to buy anything! Gray is my new favorite color and I especially love it
with the reds!<br />
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As soon as I finished the table runner I pulled out some fabrics to make
a baby quilt for my three year old grandson, Ryan. I make a baby quilt
for every grandchild and I am two behind. So Ryan will get his quilt,
soon I think, and it is browns and teals and full of bears. I can't
wait!<br />
<br />
Another fun goal I have set this year is a reading challenge. My
husband told me the other day he loves to see me reading. I used to
read much more than I do these days and I miss it. So when I found <a href="http://www.popsugar.com/love/reading-challenge-2015-36071458">this fun reading challenge</a>
the other day on facebook I decided to take it on. It should get me
out of my box I think. One of the suggestions that bothered me was
"read a graphic novel". I don't read graphic stuff. But then I
remembered I want to read the book Unbroken and after seeing the movie I
realized it is very graphic - but in a way that is historical and
truthful and necessary to the story. So I will be okay.<br />
<br />
I have always wanted to learn how to do calligraphy. The other day I
was in a Hastings Bookstore and I saw a calligraphy kit on sale. It
ended up in my hands so fast I didn't know what happened! I decided
then and there that 2015 was the year to learn calligraphy. I haven't
started yet - it seems a bit intimidating - but it will happen!<br />
<br />
I have totally become a fan of the show <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/shows/fixer-upper">Fixer Upper</a>. I love, love, love Chip and Jo Jo Gaines. I became acquainted with her from reading the blog <a href="http://www.mundanefaithfulness.com/">Mundane Faithfulness</a>.
When Kara told of how JoJo flew to her home in Colorado Springs to
decorate her home for Christmas it touched my heart and I knew she was a
Christian who walked her talk. I had never heard of the show before
but I set my dvr to record all the episodes and my goodness - both my
husband and I are hooked! And now we are inspired to work on our
house. Our home is 15 years old and it is time to do some updates. So
we have made a list of renovations and have already begun! The first
thing was to complete a cupalo and weather vane for our barn. I love
it!<br />
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Next on our list is a laundry room update - we are removing an old
cabinet and installing "floating" shelves. We also have an old heavy
piece of wood covering a cubby hole storage area under the stairs. The
door has never been attached or functional so we are going to make a
sliding barn-style door. Our main bathroom needs some paint and the
"kid's room" needs a makeover as well. We are excited to see what we
can come up with.<br />
<br />
2015 looms on the horizon as being an exciting and fulfilling year. I
am excited to learn new ways I can Abide with Him. I am looking forward
to working down my fabric and yarn stash and turning it all into
beautiful things. I look forward to learning new things and reading new
books. And it feels so good to be back in this familiar place. Oh how
I have missed it!<br />
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Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-38349147793517940442012-09-13T08:55:00.002-06:002012-09-13T08:55:41.660-06:00WhiplashOk, so after changing my blog into a knitting blog, I have decided to create a <a href="http://www.robinznestknits.blogspot.com/">new knitting blog</a> and keep this blog, Robinznest, as my personal, sometimes reflective, most of the time trivial place that I write and meet with friends. Got that?<br />
<br />
It just seemed like a good idea and an easy solution to my new knitting podcast. I hadn't written anything in months and perhaps just sliding it into my knitting life would be the easy fix. However, I found that I missed Robinznest being what it has always been and from time to time I feel stirrings of writing creativity that make me think I will start blogging more regularly again. <br />
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So there you have it. Robinznest will remain as it has been and <a href="http://www.robinznestknits.blogspot.com/">Robinznest Knits </a>will be the place that I release my podcasts and talk about my knitting.<br />
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And who knows, maybe someday soon I will start blogging here again. I miss it. And I miss you.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-32016755473879435632012-08-29T18:42:00.002-06:002012-08-29T18:48:20.222-06:00Robinznest Episode 2 - Confessions<br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z22tMi-r_S8/UD63lSLkHiI/AAAAAAAADJo/jgG3xcrv2jc/s1600/sheepb072512215100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z22tMi-r_S8/UD63lSLkHiI/AAAAAAAADJo/jgG3xcrv2jc/s320/sheepb072512215100.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> Listen to Episode 2 - Confessions by clicking below.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span>
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<span style="color: #333333;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333;"><a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a></span></div>
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<br />
This episode seems to have a couple of knitting confessions!<br />
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<b>Off the Needles:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/lamb">Lamb</a> by Susan B. Anderson<br />
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<b> </b><br />
<b>First Confession:</b><br />
My Ravellennics project,<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/sheep-run-socks"> Sheep Run Socks</a> were an epic failure. Sad, but true. However, I will not be defeated by the sock.<br />
<b> </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crystal-socklet">Crystal Socklet</a> - Knitty Spring/Summer 2012<br />
<b> </b><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fixation-ankle-socks-for-2-circulars">Fixation Ankle Sock</a> - Sarah Keller<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>On the Needles: </b>I'm still working on the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sothia">Sothia.</a><b> </b>This is where the second knitting confession came in! I have shawl issues!<br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/shipwreck-shawl">Shipwreck Shawl</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/cedar-leaf-shawlette"> Cedar Leaf Shawlette</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/pipers-journey">Piper's Journey Shawl</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/silk-moon-crescent-shawlette">Silk Moon Crescent Shawlette</a><br />
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/duchess-of-cambridge-shawl-3-versions"> Duchess of Cambridge Shawl</a><br />
Is there a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/color-affection">Color Affection</a> in my future???<br />
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I am also working on the Sweetheart Skirt for my little 3 year old granddaughter.<br />
<br />
<b>Qued Up</b> :<br />
A cardigan for my daughter: <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wispy-cardi">Wispy Cardi</a> by Hannah Fettig<br />
Baby gift: either <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flower-cardigan-and-hat-set">Flower Cardigan and Hat Set</a> or <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Robinznest/circle-and-stripes-stroller-blanket">Circle and Stripes Stroller Blanket,</a><br />
both from Itty Bitty Nursery<br />
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<b>On the Farm:</b><br />
<b> </b>Check up on the latest happenings with the calf, the chickens and the sheep. I discuss whether to coat or not to coat the sheep.<br />
<b> </b><br />
<b>A Few of My Favorite Things:</b><br />
<b> </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Unidocs-Inc-ezPDF-Reader/dp/B004R13U6Y">E<b> </b>Z PDF Reader</a> for my Kindle Fire<br />
<a href="http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/knitting-row-counter_cftng.html">Knitting Row Counter</a> android app<br />
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<b>Technique:</b><br />
The difference between Fair Isle and Intarsia<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Contact me at:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My blog: robin-robinznest.blogspot.com</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>email: Robinznest.knits@gmail.com</b></div>
<b>Robinznest on Ravelry</b>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>See you next time! </b></div>
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<b><br /></b>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-56053903264318396222012-07-24T14:56:00.000-06:002012-07-25T13:24:59.781-06:00Robinznest THE PODCAST! Episode 1 - An Introduction<div style="text-align: center;">
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Exciting things are happening at "the Nest"! Creating a podcast is something I have thought of doing for quite some time now. And since I had a few days off this week I decided to just go for it. In my first episode I talk about my knitting, my farm, how I am growing my sheep into sweaters and of course my sweet grandbabies. I hope to be able to embed an audio player in my posts in the future, but I am a very slow techie person and it is going to take me some time to figure it all out. In the meantime, if you care to listen, go to iTunes and search in the podcasts for Robinznest. If you listen, please be sure to leave a comment on iTunes, it helps move my podcast up in the search engine. I truly hope you enjoy it!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOGrFmhpmM/UBBH9JvMBfI/AAAAAAAADJc/V5MLhnhOpGU/s1600/102_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ctOGrFmhpmM/UBBH9JvMBfI/AAAAAAAADJc/V5MLhnhOpGU/s320/102_3895.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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SHOWNOTES for Episode 1 - An Introduction<br />
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<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/">www.knitpicks.com</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> the first knitting website I discovered </b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=75002220%20">http://www.knitpicks.com/cfpatterns/pattern_display.cfm?ID=75002220 </a> </div>
<b>this is the pattern to the infamous Mr. Foster. Give him a try - he is an education in himself!</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfBlog/author.cfm/Knit%20Picks%20Podcast">http://www.knitpicks.com/cfBlog/author.cfm/Knit%20Picks%20Podcast</a> </div>
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<b>This is the first knitting podcast I discovered.</b></div>
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<a href="http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/">http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/</a> <b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is a great website/podcast to follow.</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.knitmoregirls.blogspot.com/%20">http://www.knitmoregirls.blogspot.com/ </a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>I have learned so much about wool and knitting on this site.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sothia">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sothia</a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The shawl I am currently working on.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lamb-6%20">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lamb-6 </a> </div>
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<b>In the podcast I said this pattern was called Sheep. My bad, it's really called Lamb.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/team-sasquatch%20">http://www.ravelry.com/groups/team-sasquatch </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>This is the Ravelry group I joined for the Ravellenics.</b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-run-socks%20">http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheep-run-socks </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Yikes! This is my project for the Ravellenics! Wish me luck!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sheepshed.com/%20">http://www.sheepshed.com/ </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The most awesome sheep/wool/spinning resource ever!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAySfRG5pPg">www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAySfRG5pPg</a><b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>The world's fastest knitter - whew! She makes me tired just watching her!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/cfneedles/needle_list.cfm?ID=300315&intmedid=Main1--Sunstruck">http://www.knitpicks.com/cfneedles/needle_list.cfm?ID=300315&intmedid=Main1--Sunstruck</a> Beautiful needles!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Contact me at:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My blog: robin-robinznest.blogspot.com</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>email: Robinznest.knits@gmail.com</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Robinznest on Ravelry</b></div>
<br />
<b>Thanks so much for listening - please leave me a comment and/or feedback and let me know what you think. </b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/rgryan/?action=view&current=signature.jpg%22%20target=%22_blank%22%3E%3Cimg%20src=%22http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/rgryan/signature.jpg%22%20border=%220%22%20alt=%22signature%22%3E%3C/a%3E"></a><a href="http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/rgryan/?action=view&current=signature.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="signature" border="0" src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y276/rgryan/signature.jpg" /></a> </b>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-27555505154605502192012-06-07T14:11:00.000-06:002012-06-07T14:11:20.157-06:00Summer Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Technically, it's not summer yet. But it feels like it is. School is out, weather is warm, flowers are planted and the days are longer. I am enjoying it all so much. For the first time since I can remember my summer days are feeling like, well, summer. No more getting up early and driving to work, sitting at a desk spending my day behind a computer, and driving home, tired at the end of the day. Now these days are filled with kids and field trips and popsicles and lambs and gardening and chickens and knitting and reading. I run errands during the daytime like lots of stay-at-home women do. I went to the nursery last week to pick up some more flowers and I went mid-morning and it felt so free! It may sound crazy but it is the most liberated I have felt in many years.</div>
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Here are some pictures of things I have been busy with:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VIp4XdK_G_w/T9AiHbfGdVI/AAAAAAAADFw/iMJLAgm71s8/s1600/060212195029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VIp4XdK_G_w/T9AiHbfGdVI/AAAAAAAADFw/iMJLAgm71s8/s320/060212195029.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Ava Claire had her big dance recital. Pure sweetness this girl is!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxNbcQv_MWo/T9AiOTTFAzI/AAAAAAAADF4/Be0irD26IyE/s1600/060412165222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PxNbcQv_MWo/T9AiOTTFAzI/AAAAAAAADF4/Be0irD26IyE/s320/060412165222.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppa has started teaching Tyler the basics of horse riding on a horse just his size.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1U8-6SugbY/T9AiT4yuf2I/AAAAAAAADGA/phvJlQzHtME/s1600/060412165902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1U8-6SugbY/T9AiT4yuf2I/AAAAAAAADGA/phvJlQzHtME/s320/060412165902.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And whatever brother does, little brother has to do too.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9vPLvZYU6k/T9AiZCfrasI/AAAAAAAADGI/Q-6C4GAw5io/s1600/060412165908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y9vPLvZYU6k/T9AiZCfrasI/AAAAAAAADGI/Q-6C4GAw5io/s320/060412165908.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtuEBtbbyVE/T9AikTKuoxI/AAAAAAAADGo/AJKky8dLbfQ/s1600/060612132917-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GtuEBtbbyVE/T9AikTKuoxI/AAAAAAAADGo/AJKky8dLbfQ/s1600/060612132917-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have added chickens to our little farm! This is Marigold - the sweetest little hen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPCDfwyQL_A/T9Aijxg-eUI/AAAAAAAADGg/DQ8oc1A6uWA/s1600/060612115927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPCDfwyQL_A/T9Aijxg-eUI/AAAAAAAADGg/DQ8oc1A6uWA/s320/060612115927.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Chrysanthemum, my little Buff Orpington.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtXxf8zQVng/T9AigXmZKyI/AAAAAAAADGY/8wiAOU_csMg/s1600/060612115813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtXxf8zQVng/T9AigXmZKyI/AAAAAAAADGY/8wiAOU_csMg/s320/060612115813.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He looks like his is squeezing them - but he is actually very gentle with them.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8DvTv5dJi8/T9Aic43xW0I/AAAAAAAADGQ/3Mzt7jPg7vQ/s1600/060612115108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8DvTv5dJi8/T9Aic43xW0I/AAAAAAAADGQ/3Mzt7jPg7vQ/s320/060612115108.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Cruise - the rooster. The name just seemed fitting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl-uOvnEzw/T9AjAdyv00I/AAAAAAAADHY/uIXnyXyiIyE/s1600/060612133338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0gl-uOvnEzw/T9AjAdyv00I/AAAAAAAADHY/uIXnyXyiIyE/s320/060612133338.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have spent the last 3 weeks building this chicken coop. My husband is a master builder!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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So, our little hobby farm is complete now - two horses, one miniature horse, two lambs, one jersey calf, a dog, a cat, and now about a dozen chickens! I really never saw myself doing this - it just sort of happened. But I am having so much fun and there is something so satisfying, so calming and centering, so fulfilling in just enjoying the basics of life. I feel so blessed!<br /><br />Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-63729716106343664492012-04-30T19:40:00.004-06:002012-04-30T19:42:40.070-06:00I Live On A Farm!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqQW3RfyUzw/T58-Tq4qduI/AAAAAAAADEk/E7Fs8FR3HsY/s1600/ivy536497_10150799466259696_662104695_9554453_884640119_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqQW3RfyUzw/T58-Tq4qduI/AAAAAAAADEk/E7Fs8FR3HsY/s320/ivy536497_10150799466259696_662104695_9554453_884640119_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So it's true - little lambs really do eat ivy!</td></tr>
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So it all started a while back after I got into knitting. The whole process of knitting is so fascinating to me and the more I knit the more I wanted to knit and the more I wanted to learn about knitting. I started reading blogs about knitting and listening to podcasts about knitting and I realized that many knitters were also spinners. I recall as a little girl loving the story of Sleeping Beauty. There is a part in the story where Sleeping Beauty pricks her finger on the spindle while spinning. That never made sense to me because as far as I know there are no needles or pins involved in spinning! Anyway, I digress. My point is that I have had a life-long fascination with spinning but in all honesty I didn't know that you could even still do it. I mean, I didn't realize they even still made spinning wheels. But podcasts such as the <a href="http://knitmoregirls.blogspot.com/">Knitmore Girls</a> and <a href="http://knitwitspodcast.blogspot.com/">The Knit Wits</a> made me realize that not only can you still get a spinning wheel but it is an art that is becoming more and more popular. <br />
<br />
I also loved learning about different fibers and what makes some fiber better than others to knit with. An idea began formulating in my head. Wouldn't it be amazing to raise a sheep, shear it, process the wool, spin it, and finally knit it into a sweater? At first I dismissed the idea as something that would be impossible to achieve. My life is busy enough thank you very much. But like all good and fun ideas, it just would not go away. I began researching what kind of sheep would produce the desirable fiber I wanted, just in case my dream ever got legs.<br />
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This brings me to last week. I mentioned my idea to my husband and to my surprise he said "Do it"! I guess I don't know why his response surprised me. He loves raising animals and he has always been 100% supportive of my love of knitting. But I wasn't prepared for his enthusiasm. He went to a farm auction the next day to look for a sheep.<br />
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He came home with a steer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ6V-eVqP2o/T58-X4O_WLI/AAAAAAAADE0/4QCwJoMoLk0/s1600/calf536724_10150817319836422_506441421_11794491_35530342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fZ6V-eVqP2o/T58-X4O_WLI/AAAAAAAADE0/4QCwJoMoLk0/s320/calf536724_10150817319836422_506441421_11794491_35530342_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter with Little Bill</td></tr>
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He texted me a picture of a sweet 2 week old, bottle-fed, little Jersey steer and I was hopelessly in love. That is how we became the surrogate parents of the sweetest little Jersey calf you can imagine. His big doe-like eyes can melt butter. He loves to be petted and played with. He is absolutely adorable.<br />
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My husband also informed me that apparently Friday at the sale is for cattle but sheep would be selling on Saturday. So we went back to the farm auction. It turned out to be a bit frustrating for me because while I knew the name of the sheep breed I was looking for, I couldn't recognize one when I saw it. And the auctioneers don't mention the breed as they are being sold. I quickly realized that buyers were looking for meat sheep, not fiber sheep and none of them had ever heard of the breed I was interested in. We went home to our little steer empty handed.<br />
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That same afternoon a neighbor came by to help my husband put some trim up on the barn and we got to talking about our experience. He listened intently and said, "I know someone you need to talk to". He pulled out his cell phone, dialed a number and handed me the phone. A nice woman answered and I explained to her what I wanted to do. She was very friendly but again, she didn't know about the breed I was looking for. However, she did know where to point me. She told me I needed to go to a place called <a href="http://sheepshed.com/">The Sheep Shed</a>. Apparently, about 30 miles aways from me was a sheep farm that specialized in fiber sheep. Wow! I immediately called and connected with a most amazing woman who instantly knew exactly what I wanted and why. She invited me to come over and told me she had two sets of lambs she just knew I would love. Both sets had been born as a set of quads and a mother ewe can only nurse two babies well so they had pulled the other two and they have been bottle fed. My husband and I jumped in the pick-up and quickly drove to The Sheep Shed.<br />
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I have lived here in this area for many, many years and I truly don't know how I didn't know about his place! It is a family owned business that raises sheep for meat and fiber. Not only do they do that, but Cleo, the matriarch of the family, teaches how to process wool and spin it. It is a one-stop shop to learn everything I want to do! I am so excited I can hardly stand it.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJvPFYYuBLk/T58-ZP2B2BI/AAAAAAAADE8/SWkA-UjovHY/s1600/me+ivy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xJvPFYYuBLk/T58-ZP2B2BI/AAAAAAAADE8/SWkA-UjovHY/s320/me+ivy.jpg" width="320" /></a>They showed us the lambs and I immediately chose the one month old brother and sister Rambouillet/Border Leicester Cross. One is black and the other is white. Cleo showed me what their fiber would spin up like. After learning how to bottle feed them and care for them we loaded them up and brought them home to take up residence with Little Bill the calf.<br />
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They are so much fun! Bottle feeding animal might get old if you have to do it forever but I can't imagine ever getting tired of it! There is just something so natural, so earthy, so satisfying about taking care of such sweet and gentle creatures.<br />
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So now our little farm has horses, lambs, and a calf. Next time I will tell you about....................<br />
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...............the chickens!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-34914245178349307112012-04-23T18:17:00.000-06:002012-04-24T20:47:44.302-06:00April PotpourriLonger days, warmer temperatures, green grass, and blooming spring flowers make for one happy lady at the Nest! Our winter was mild, as far as winters go, but oh my, how I love summer!<br />
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The spring cleaning bug bit me mildly and I decided to paint my living room. I did the kitchen/dining room last year. I chose to carry the brown from the dining room into the living room and selected a darker brown to do an accent wall and the plant shelf area. I really, really loved the results. Choosing paint colors is so intimidating to me and I finally decided to just pick something, anything and get going. When it was all done I wanted something fresh and new to hang on my quilt rack. My sofas are a spring green color and so I wanted something to tie the browns and greens with a small red accent. I found the perfect thing in my sewing room. It was from a quilt kit that I have had for several years. How exciting to get a new wall hanging and not spend a dime! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't measure it for my rack and it ended up being just a bit to wide. I had to fold in the side borders.<br />
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It is so wonderful to be able to be outside with the kids. Here they are reading the Bible together. Tyler was reading to Ava Claire about Adam and Eve. I'm not sure where his version of the story came from, but it was quite entertaining!<br />
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I finished knitting a shawl I have been working on for several months. Right after Kate Middleton married Prince William, she was spotted at a grocery store with a green shawl tossed casually over her shoulders. Knitting designers everywhere went crazy trying to design a replica. I chose this pattern called the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/duchess-of-cambridge-shawl-3-versions">Duchess of Cambridge Shawl.</a> I went with a wool/silk blend yarn in a colorway called Moss Tonal from <a href="http://www.blacksheepdyeworks.etsy.com/">Black Sheep DyeWorks</a>. I absolutely love the color - it has lots of variations of greens in it. I had a bit of trouble with the pattern but the designer was good to answer my emails and I finally finished it last week. I will be blocking it soon and then I will try to post a picture of it. It is really lovely. I am a bit nervous that I am more of a shawl-knitter than a shawl-wearer. This would not be a good thing as I just ordered some more yarn to make yet another shawl. I truly enjoy knitting the lacy patterns -they are challenging enough that I don't get bored and small enough that there is some instant gratification.<br />
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We lost a dear family member recently who had fought a long and hard battle with cancer. He was my brother-in-law and was only 47 years old. We flew back to Oklahoma City where my husband did the funeral and then we brought him back here to Idaho and buried him in the cemetary in the little mountain town my husband's family is from and that he loved so dearly. My, he will be missed. My favorite thing said about him at his service was that he WON his battle with cancer, for he is alive today and the stupid cancer is DEAD! YES!! He ran a very hard race but he finished so strong. He and his family have been Godly examples to everyone on how to die with grace and dignity.<br />
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My sweet daughter Jessica will be graduating from college in TWO WEEKS! I can't believe it! It just seems like the other day I wrote <a href="http://robin-robinznest.blogspot.com/2010/08/bridge.html">this post</a>, describing her difficulty in leaving home and starting college. Now she is graduating with an elementary education degree and moving into her own rented home in the big city down the interstate. I am so proud of my girl! She has excelled in every area and worked so hard. She student taught the third grade this year and absolutely loved it. She hopes to get her very own third grade class this fall.<br />
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It seems that I am going to inherit some chickens in a few weeks! Now this is something I never imagined myself doing. There was a sweet lady in our church that talked her husband into getting her some chickens for eggs. She died just a couple weeks later. Her husband just doesn't want the chickens and offered them to us. We thought about it for awhile and have agreed to give "chicken farming" a try. I don't know the first thing about it but I have been surfing the internet and have found some great websites and blogs with lots of information. My sweet Ava Claire wants her very own "chickadee" and I think it will be fun to get her one that she can enjoy. She doesn't want just any chicken however. She wants a white fluffy one -called a silkie I believe. I am probably getting in over my head, but we are in the midst of figuring out what kind of chicken coop to built now! Ha! Life certainly never is boring around here!<br />
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And oh my. Pinterest! I have found more things to make and do and try than I ever could do in my lifetime. And the list just grows and grows and grows.<br />
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There are just a few of my April happenings. See you soon!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-69012460529439541342012-03-19T13:29:00.005-06:002012-03-19T18:34:50.292-06:00March MusingsSo, since I haven't posted anything since February, well, I've been feeling a little lonesome for the ole' blog. I thought it would be good to stop by and jot down a few of the things that have been going on. So, in no particular order here goes:<br /><br />I still love my new job. People keep asking me, like they don't really believe me when I say how much I love what I am doing. I really, really love it. I think why I love it so much is because it does not <span style="font-style:italic;">feel</span> like a job. It feels like, well, it just feels like <span style="font-style:italic;">family</span>. And I LOVE my family. So I am as happy as can be spending my days with four little sweethearts. I believe that besides their parents, there is no one, absolutely no one who can take care of children as well as a grandmother. And I am up for the task. I love each one unconditionally and their best is my priority. I am as happy as can be. Here we are at a recent field trip to the zoo:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6rE9pdtBVI/T2fQXJdE1SI/AAAAAAAADEE/a70R-fPdGHo/s1600/Kids%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bzoo_9152372_220400258_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U6rE9pdtBVI/T2fQXJdE1SI/AAAAAAAADEE/a70R-fPdGHo/s400/Kids%2Bat%2Bthe%2Bzoo_9152372_220400258_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5721770947690943778" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And even though the days are longer than they used to be, I have a minimum of two hours every afternoon to read, knit, or watch tv. Unthinkable! I have never had that in the working world. I have watched two seasons of Downton Abbey and am in the fifth season of Friday Night Lights. I have knit a passel of fairies and dinosaurs. I am working on a shawl right now and am trying to decide between starting some easter knits for the babies or an intensely detailed pair of socks for me. I love it!<br /><br />I hate spring. I always have. The word bipolar comes to mind. We have a few days of 70 degree weather and it is awesome. The next day is is in the 40's and the wind is blowing hard. I hate wind. I learned to hate wind as the child of a crop duster. Wind was the devil - it was not friendly to our livelihood. I still feel the same way.<br /><br />I joined Weight Watchers. It's going well. I figured since I am more active now then I have ever been I should take advantage of it. My husband is doing it with me and two of my daughters. It's great to do it as a team.<br /><br />And speaking of WW :), I just got Ree's new Cookbook. It is amazing. I made her saucy brisket for Sunday dinner and it was a hit. And the recipes can all be entered into WW recipe builder to figure out the points. So the two can co-exist.<br /><br />I just finished reading John Ramsey's book - The Other Side of Suffering. John Ramsey is the father of JonBenet' Ramsey, the little girl who was murdered in Boulder, Colorado several years ago. If there is any book I could recommend to you it would be this one. It focuses mainly on the spiritual walk of John and Patsy Ramsey following the death of their daughter and the horrible, inexcusable treatment of them by the media and the Boulder Police department. I simply could not put it down and stayed up until after 1:00 in the morning to finish it. I want to read it again. If you have a Kindle, download this book now. You will not be sorry.<br /><br />Next week is spring break. I am so excited. I have not have spring break off in many, many years. My teacher/daughter gets the week off so my nurse/daughter took a vacation week so we could all have some time off. Perfect! I intend to spend some hours in my sewing room working on a quilt and some other smaller projects. I can't wait!<br /><br />We took a long weekend and went to Tuscon, Arizona for my husbands birthday. We met my brother and sister-chick down there and spent a couple of days in Tombstone. We had a blast. It was my first visit to Arizona and I totally get why people move there.<br /><br />Beth Moore is coming to our area again. She was here four years ago and it was such a special time. I really look forward to hearing her again. I believe she is an anointed woman of God and I always learn from her words. And Travis Cottrell will be with her again. He leads worship like none other.<br /><br />Well, that's it for now. It's been good to visit.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-59361056634141387712012-02-11T11:54:00.002-07:002012-02-11T12:22:46.282-07:00A New DaySo, I have been a full time nanny/pre-school teacher/grandmother for three entire weeks now. I have definitely entered into a new phase of life! Here are some of my observations:<br /><br />My body is screaming - "What do you think you are doing???" I am definitely getting a workout like I never did at my desk job. While I am sore and knocking back Advil more than ever - I am still glad. I needed the exercise and I figure it's saving me the cost of a gym membership.<br /><br />I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE teaching pre-school. It is a career I never imagined doing - but I seriously am wondering if I missed my calling. I love the creativity involved, I love when my sweet little 3 year olds understand a concept, and I even love the preparation involved. It is just pure fun to me.<br /><br />However, it is infinitely difficult to teach two 3-year olds while I have two 1-year olds underfoot. If anyone has any suggestions - PLEASE share them!<br /><br />ROUTINE and STRUCTURE are the only way to survive this daycare task I have undertaken. I made a chart of our daily schedule, posted it on the fridge, and we stick to it like glue. The kids love it and are constantly running to the schedule to see what is expected of them next. I can't take credit for thinking this up - it's just something I inwardly knew would have to be. We do not vary from the routine one little bit - except for Fridays. On Fridays, Poppa comes to town and we do fun things with him.<br /><br />Part of our schedule is a two hour nap/rest time in the afternoons right after lunch. I have been amazed how much knitting and reading time it affords me. I have never had a job that gives me this much personal time.<br /><br />It's amazing how many of the habits and skills I used as a young mother have come back to me - it's like riding a bike I guess - you never forget. Things like put things away the minute you are done using them, and write things down when you think of them just come natural in a house full of children. Unfortunately, over at the empty nest it seems I have forgotten these valuable tricks as things don't get put away quite like they used to ;(<br /><br />Amazon Prime membership is a MUST. I have never used this before but since I got a Kindle Fire for Christmas (best gift ever!) I had a free month trial membership. It didn't take me long to pay for the annual membership. I don't have time to go shopping anymore (and I don't really enjoy shopping anyway). Being able to purchase what I need, with free shipping, and receiving my purchase in TWO days is invaluable to me! Just this week I bought some pre-school supplies, a new pair of pajama pants for my husband, and a season two DVD of Downtun Abbey.<br /><br />Speaking of Downtun Abbey , have you watched it yet? Oh. My. Goodness. It is so incredibly good - I just love it. It's a Masterpiece Theatre series from PBS. It is a period drama set in England in the early 1900's and it is riveting. If you haven't seen it, stop right now, go to Netflix and start! You will love it! It's another thing I treat myself to during nap/rest time.<br /><br />Since three of my little charges are little boys, and I only raised girls, I wanted to learn about boys. I downloaded Bringing Up Boys by my beloved Dr. James Dobson and have started reading it. It is so obvious that boys are different from girls and I want to do the best job I can molding and shaping them to be little men. I have already learned so much!<br /><br />I am afraid that I will not be good enough for this incredible task I have been gifted with. I look at these little lives, these little people that I love so deeply I can hardly stand it, and I worry that I will fail them. I want so much to do this right. I want to give them a legacy of faith and love and wonderful memories and I worry that I will not do it to the level it should be done. It has become the number one prayer priority of my life.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br /> I have never felt more tired. I have never felt more alive. I have never felt so blessed.<span style="font-style:italic;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span></span></span>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-51203914726248343342012-01-17T17:11:00.002-07:002012-01-17T17:30:00.654-07:00CountdownSo here I am - the last week of employment by the University I have worked at for the last 12 years. Actually, 11 years and 51 weeks, but who's counting? It has been a blessing to work where I have. It has provided a college education to my four daughters. There is no other way we could have done that. We never imagined how we would send our girls to college - but as we have learned over and over again, God ALWAYS provides. It has been a place of peace. Working in a Christian environment is amazingly different that working in the secular workplace. I know this because I have done both. It has been a place of friendliness. I have worked with and for quality people of the utmost integrity. Feeling appreciated, valued and important has been a very good thing.<br /><br />But I am so ready to move on.<br /><br />One of the things I have struggled with the most is giving the best time of my day to things that don't really matter in the long run. By that I mean, my job could be done by most anyone. And the clerical duties I was responsible for didn't really make much of a difference to anyone else. I didn't make a difference in anyone's life. But that is all about to change!<br /><br />I won't be sitting behind a desk anymore. I won't be entering line after line of test scores or grades or classes into a computer system. I won't be scheduling or proctoring or emailing anymore.<br /><br />Instead I will be solely responsible for the care and feeding of my four precious grandbabies. I will have two 3 year olds, a 1 year old and a 10 month old depending on me for everything.<br /><br />I will be holding a morning pre-school for the 3 year olds. I have had the most fun planning my curriculum and purchasing school supplies. The internet has been a huge source of ideas and plans and who knew the Dollar Store had so many teacher supplies? My teacher-daughters have been educating me in the ways of teaching letter sounds and using correct words for shapes. Apparently the shape I have always known as a diamond is now called a rhombus. I guess I will be learning right along with the kids! I'm so thankful for my daughter's help because I sure don't want to damage Tyler's and Ava's intellect before they even get to first grade!<br /><br />Monday morning, bright and early, I will be reporting to my new job. I will be wearing my yoga pants and slippers. I will be bringing my knitting to enjoy during afternoon nap time. I will bring my little dog with me to work every day. I will be ready for lots of hugs and kisses from little people. <br /><br />It will be a new day!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-91993558081647566142012-01-03T18:28:00.007-07:002012-01-03T19:27:49.528-07:00A New YearSo here we are. 2012. I remember when I was in the 6th grade, one of our math problems was to figure out how old we would be in the year 2000. We worked diligently figuring out the mathematical equation and when most of us realized we would be 40-ish, none of us believed we would ever really be that old. Ahem. How wrong we were.<br /><br />Christmas is over and I am left with storing the decorations and the memories for another year. We had a good family Christmas. We spent time with my husband's family in the little Idaho mountain town of McCall. However, for the first time in my memory there was no snow. Really weird. All my girls were home and I love, love, love having my girls all around me. We got to spend a lot of time together. We went out to dinner one night without the grandbabies - a first for us. It was lovely to just sit around a big, round table and visit the night away. We went on a sleigh ride that ended up being a wagon ride because of the afore mentioned no snow issue. But it was fun and the dinner they served was awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oke5nqvaG6s/TwOu2sAosUI/AAAAAAAADDU/gVLfKwmzLsY/s1600/386228_2651916571114_1051742636_32683015_868803753_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oke5nqvaG6s/TwOu2sAosUI/AAAAAAAADDU/gVLfKwmzLsY/s400/386228_2651916571114_1051742636_32683015_868803753_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693586608476434754" border="0" /></a>Here we are at the "sleigh" ride.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here are my two oldest grand monkeys - Ava and Tyler sporting the sock monkey hats I made them. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSBRSAoToXg/TwOuTcxfsPI/AAAAAAAADC4/uzFnj9OlUSI/s1600/404864_10150540614161422_506441421_10904921_72054561_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JSBRSAoToXg/TwOuTcxfsPI/AAAAAAAADC4/uzFnj9OlUSI/s400/404864_10150540614161422_506441421_10904921_72054561_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693586003090977010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4dW8Ov_AjkU/TwOuTJTs_rI/AAAAAAAADCs/ibdDQFvoYD4/s1600/402940_10150540612761422_506441421_10904905_394197200_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4dW8Ov_AjkU/TwOuTJTs_rI/AAAAAAAADCs/ibdDQFvoYD4/s400/402940_10150540612761422_506441421_10904905_394197200_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693585997865746098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVQWGrKNml0/TwOuSIqlAII/AAAAAAAADCk/trSAemU-RMI/s1600/389834_10150540609121422_506441421_10904871_1271660284_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVQWGrKNml0/TwOuSIqlAII/AAAAAAAADCk/trSAemU-RMI/s400/389834_10150540609121422_506441421_10904871_1271660284_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693585980513386626" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No matter how many pictures I take, and I take a lot, I NEVER get all four of them looking at the camera.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My sweetie and I.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMdIPdffC0/TwO5CkfLPzI/AAAAAAAADDs/fJSZClfGm-I/s1600/406060_10150443316095766_565165765_9067667_253200111_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtMdIPdffC0/TwO5CkfLPzI/AAAAAAAADDs/fJSZClfGm-I/s400/406060_10150443316095766_565165765_9067667_253200111_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693597807731752754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This was some of us at the lake in McCall. Typically those mountains would be covered in snow and the lake would be iced over.<br /><br />I am looking forward to 2012. I am thinking and praying about my word for the year - IMPROVE. There are so many ways this word could make a difference in my life. Last night I downloaded on my Kindle, Debbie Macomber's new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Perfect-Word-Make-Difference/dp/1439190593/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1325642148&sr=1-1">One Perfect Word</a>, which is a non-fiction book that tells the story of how she has prayed for a specific word every year to live by. I read the first chapter and I can tell it is going to be captivating.<br /><br />My husband and I began reading the Bible in a year again, only this time we are reading the New Living Chronological version. I love the idea of reading scripture in the order it was written. I think I will also enjoy not jumping from the Old to the New Testament every day in the same sitting. That always gave me spiritual whiplash!<br /><br />I have chosen my memory verse for this month: "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind." 1 Peter 2:1. This dovetails with the whole IMPROVE concept.<br /><br />I love that I have finished up all my sewing and knitting projects and I have a clean slate in front of me. There is nothing better than starting a new project and so right now for my first 2012 project I am gathering all my supplies to knit myself a sweater - something I have never done before. Knitting garments to wear intimidates me like nothing else and I need to conquer this fear. I am going to be knitting the <a href="https://www.coastalknits.com/pattern_rocky_coast_cardigan.php">Rocky Coast Cardigan</a> from the Coastal Knits pattern book. I love these two designers and there are several patterns in this book I plan to knit someday.<br /><br />I have reading to do too. I am re-reading the Zion Chronicles and I am on book #4. I am going to read Beth Moore's book on Insecurity and I definitely plan to read Francine Rivers two newest books, Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream. I have had them both for months and just haven't put aside the time to read them. They are on my 2012 goal list.<br /><br />And 2012 is an election year. I am a news junkie and election years are awesome years for watching news. I love the whole process and look forward to watching all the caucuses, debates and state elections. I know - I'm weird. As I type I am watching the Iowa Caucuses. Fascinating stuff.<br /><br />Pinterest has taken over a portion of my time as well. I was slow in getting to the table but I am going full force now to make up for lost time! I have found so many great ideas and have already used many of them. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Pinterest!<br /><br />So there you are. Just a little bit of what I 'm looking forward to this coming year. How about you?<br /><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}"><br /></span></h6>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-71089203879950007942011-12-27T17:24:00.011-07:002011-12-27T21:57:22.524-07:00Here We Are At The End of 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gBMLYN8bPc/TvptqNHFY3I/AAAAAAAADBk/sukKP1ndmw8/s1600/122711142250%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gBMLYN8bPc/TvptqNHFY3I/AAAAAAAADBk/sukKP1ndmw8/s400/122711142250%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690981650977350514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">We are living in the last week of 2011. I don't know why I love time markers so much, but I tend to put a lot of thought and significance to dates that mark time. So I am writing a post of reflection to put meaning and remembrance to the last 365 days.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Word for 2011</span></span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">was Renew. It was a perfect word for me for the year because at the close of 2010 I was at the end of my rope - spiritually, emotionally and personally. Renew began as a whisper of promise that at times culminated in a crescendo of hope. I determined to focus on God and began with memorizing a scripture verse every month and a plan to read my Bible through in a year. Those small steps began a process in my heart that kept growing and developing. God brought a broken friend into my life who was trying to figure out what she believed and why. She came from a church that was only concerned about outward appearance and taught nothing about relationship with Jesus. Her view of God could be summed up in three words: Thou Shalt Not. As I mentored her, I began examining my own beliefs and claims of faith. Were they just words? Did I really mean them? As I studied and read and answered the tough but honest questions from my friend I found my faith being strengthened and bolstered. God is so faithful. Here I am a year later strengthened, uplifted, and renewed! Any my sweet friend? She has exchanged legalism for relationship and is thriving in it!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vacations and Getaways</span></span> happened this year. They don't always but this year was epic and I was able to go to San Diego in February with my daughter and two grandsons. I was the nanny. I had a very good deal. In June my husband and I went on a two week road trip that encompassed a western tour of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. When we pulled into our driveway at the end of our trip we looked at each other and said, "Let's turn around and do it again". I can't think of a better way to say we loved every minute of it. In August I went back to San Diego on a business trip but my husband went with me and in the evenings, after my conference adjourned for the day, we played hard. It was great. And then in October I went to New York City for the first time ever and to Washington DC with my mom and my sister. We had a fabulous time and made lots of memories.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwDjLKjIMAU/TvpptINjS3I/AAAAAAAADBA/X6iS7QnJ77g/s1600/122711141703.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GwDjLKjIMAU/TvpptINjS3I/AAAAAAAADBA/X6iS7QnJ77g/s400/122711141703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690977303155395442" border="0" /></a><span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hobbies and PastTimes</span></span> included knitting and quilting. My knitting has really taken on a life of its own and I have a full blown love affair with fiber going on! My dream is to raise a sheep, shear its wool, learn how to spin it and knit myself a sweater. Wouldn't that be so awesome?! I chose to knit gifts for Christmas and I also made a quilt for each of my four daughters. I have decided that I will NOT be doing that again. Sewing and knitting on a deadline takes all the fun out of my projects. While I was working on the last quilt my fancy/schmancy expensive sewing machine quit sewing. It needs to go to the doctor. I had to finish the last quilt on my vintage Featherweight singer! I found it very ironic to be quilting on such an old but solid machine while my expensive one sat by looking on! The photo is of a sweater and hat I made for sweet Ava Claire. It looks so nice on her and it is really soft and cuddly. I really wished I would have had one more sheep button to put on the hat but I didn't. This picture at the top is two of the quilts I made my girls. I really hated them by the end of the project. But it's funny, after wrapping them up and putting them under the tree for a few days my attitude changed about them. When the girls opened them up I loved them again. And they did too. So while I'm glad I made them, it won't happen again for a long while. I think next year if the gifts can't be ordered online, they just won't happen! I look forward to knitting and sewing again without an agenda or timeline.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">GrandBabies </span><span style="font-size:100%;">oh how they are growing! Tyler and Ava Claire are now three years old and are just as darling as ever! Aiden is 15 months old and walking and talking and baby Ryan is 9 months old and has the most charming smile you have ever seen! Tyler and Ava were in the Christmas program this year and it was so fun to see them on stage. My "career change" begins in about three weeks and I am excited and ready.</span></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ5vR3z3m84/TvpwGzu2xLI/AAAAAAAADB8/0CH8SJ7ALYc/s1600/DSCN3807.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LQ5vR3z3m84/TvpwGzu2xLI/AAAAAAAADB8/0CH8SJ7ALYc/s400/DSCN3807.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690984341404304562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IZYHSv6lLVU/TvpwGnPn0GI/AAAAAAAADBw/qtTycqU8gAk/s1600/DSCN3806.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IZYHSv6lLVU/TvpwGnPn0GI/AAAAAAAADBw/qtTycqU8gAk/s400/DSCN3806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690984338052075618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2012</span>. I am looking forward to this next year. I am looking forward to being a full-time grandmother. We have some special trips planned. I have some knitting and sewing projects in mind. I look forward to the warm summer months. I have been praying about my Word for the Year and there is a word that continues to roll around in my mind: Improve. I have a few ideas about how I am supposed to use this word and some of it seems a little overwhelming and I may even feel a little bit reluctant about it. But I trust Him and I know that He has my best in mind. And as with everything in the Christian journey, trusting Him makes all the difference.<br /><br />Here's to 2012 - maybe my blogging will IMPROVE!<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-61491327224785291802011-12-11T21:09:00.002-07:002011-12-11T21:38:08.287-07:00DecemberTwo weeks from today is Christmas. That means the next two weeks will be crazy and busy and full of events and things to do. Every year I say I am going to slow down for the season and enjoy a slower pace and I've yet to follow through with that. I really don't think there is any hope for me. And when I think about it I realize that having a full plate, dozens of projects to finish by the 24th, and deadlines that seem impossible to meet is just how I roll. It is who I am. So I am just going to embrace it and let it all be what it is!<br /><br />I wish I could share what is going on in my sewing room lately - I promise I will post pictures after Christmas! Today little Miss Ava Claire was over and she asked me if we could go out to "our" sewing room! She loves being out there while I sew. I keep little crafts and projects for her to work on and she enjoys it so much. Among my projects I have finished a Christmas stocking for Aiden and have helped Andrea make one for Ryan. I have an old Debbie Mumm pattern I have used for years and today I folded it up until the next baby in the family comes along. <br /><br />I missed college football this weekend. It seems like it will be a long time until next fall. Our Boise State team had another great year and sadly, they were not rewarded by the BCS system. We are getting used to the outcome although it is hard to understand how we get no respect just because we are small but what a joy it has been to watch our team have so much success. We need a new system that is more fair and objective but until then I will just keep cheering for my team.<br /><br />The countdown is on to finish up at my job and start my new responsibility as daycare provider for my four sweet grandbabies! January 20th is my last day in the office and January 23rd is my first day as a fulltime grandma. I am excited and ready.<br /><br />I hope to get the Christmas shopping done this week. <br /><br />My husband informed me this weekend that he is getting a miniature horse with a cart for the grandbabies for Christmas. I don't even know what to say about that.<br /><br />We don't have any snow but it is cold. I think if it is going to be cold - we should have snow.<br /><br />For the first time ever I hired someone to come put up my Christmas lights. It was awesome. The job got done and my husband didn't grumble at all :)<br /><br />My poor husband has been having some serious health issues since June. He got sick while we were on vacation and was diagnosed with pneumonia. It never went away and his breathing got so bad he could hardly preach. He wheezed and coughed and took prescription after prescription of antibiotics that never seemed to help at all. He finally got in to a specialist last week and was diagnosed with adult-onset asthma. I was so relieved because I had done plenty of internet sleuthing and had him diagnosed with a much more serious ailment. He is doing amazingly well now that he has the proper medications.<br /><br />I started reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's series "The Zion Chronicles" over again. I love these books with all the history from World War II. <br /><br />I am still on target reading my Bible through in a year. Just started Revelations. I think I am going to do a chronological Bible for 2012.<br /><br />My word for 2011 has been Renew. God has been faithful.<br /><br />I am not sure if I will be blogging before the new year. It's funny how I used to post almost every day and now it's like once a month. I think it took me about three years to get all my words out - now that I'm caught up I don't have so much to say anymore. But I still love my little blog and plan to check in from time to time.<br /><br />I hope you have a Merry Christmas with people you love and cherish.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-20370792240521233442011-11-03T12:18:00.004-06:002011-11-04T09:07:19.120-06:00Friday Fave Five - 11/4/11It's been too long since I've linked up with Susanne's Friday Fave Five. I always enjoy reading other people's lists but I have not done my own in quite some time. But I am going to try to join in again and intentionally state five things that I am so very thankful for:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1) Tuesday was my birthday and I gave myself the birthday gift of not going to work that day. Instead I spent the entire day in my sewing room working on Christmas gifts. It was like medicine for my soul I'm telling you! What a gift to spend the whole day with fabric and thread and sissors and patterns. It doesn't get much better than that!<br /><br /><br /><br />2) Watching the weather turn from summer to fall, literally over night. Our leaves were still green and firmly attached to the trees last week and this week they are brown and blowing all over the place! Nature is fascinating and the God who created it all - even more so!<br /><br /><br /><br />3) For my birthday my sweet family pitched in together and bought me a new recliner/rocker for my very own! And it is leather! Never have I had a chair so nice. It is so comfortable and the perfect chair to sit in during the evenings as I knit or read.<br /><br /><br /><br />4) I have traveled quite a bit this last month and one thing that was impressed upon me is how thankful I am for the place that I live. It is peaceful and spacious. It is a good place to be.<br /><br />5) Clearance sales. Last spring I was in a department store and found a rack of sweaters for $4! I bought a few and just this week it has been cold enough to wear them. They are warm, snuggly and really pretty. I love getting a good deal!<br /><br />If you would like to participate in Friday Fave Five, click over to <a href="http://susannesspace.blogspot.com/">Living to Tell the Story </a>and share what has been special to you this week.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-72790222508571878592011-10-26T13:19:00.016-06:002011-10-26T17:14:37.574-06:00Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes<div>When I was a young mother I wanted nothing more than to be a stay at home mom. But when you marry a student, a studying-for-the-ministry student at that, the odds of being a single income family are slim. Very slim indeed. And so for the most part it never really worked out for me to be a stay at home mom. We were creative in my income earning endeavors. I worked nights. I had an in-home crafting business. I worked days and worked my hours around my husbands hours so in all those years we only had a daycare provider for just a few months. Mostly, as Dr. Laura used to say - my husband and I were our kids parents. But in my heart of hearts, I didn't want to go to work - I just wanted to be a mom. And I always said if I couldn't be a stay at home mom then someday, SOMEDAY I was going to be a stay at home grandmother.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I never realized how prophetic those words would become.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The last 12 years I have been working at the university that all of my daughters have attended and graduated from. Since Jess will be graduating in May it has made me realize that I now have some options.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>And who doesn't like options?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My two daughters, who are working mama's, have realized I have options as well. And they have <s>begged</s> politely asked me to quit my job and help them take care of their babies since they have to work outside the home for this season in time. How I wish I could have had my mother looking out for my babies in those early years - it would have been so comforting to me. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The whole thought of having such an important role in my grandbabies lives fills me with joy and wonderment and in some ways I feel as though "the years the locusts have eaten are being restored to me". Not in the sense that I get to be a mother again, but that I get to enjoy this newest season of my life to the fullest in a way that will be most fulfilling and satisfying to me. I see it as a gift. An opportunity to invest myself completely in the lives of four little ones who have so many gifts and abilities and possibilities to offer our world. They are so amazing!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>So, mid-January I will be hanging up my "Career woman" hat for good (I can't believe I am typing those words!) and putting on my Grandmother hat - on a 40 hour a week basis! I am so happy about this.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Do I expect it to be easy? No</div><br /><br /><div>Do I expect to be exhausted? Yes</div><br /><br /><div>Do I worry if I can do a good enough job? Yes</div><br /><br /><div>Have a wondered what I am getting myself into? A little</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>But overall, I have a peace about it. I have so many plans and ideas I can't wait to try out. I am putting together a little pre-school program for my 3 year olds and am working out a structured schedule to keep every day. I am a strong proponent of stucture and believe with four little ones it will be the key to success! I look so forward to being in their little lives so much of the time. This just feels like a natural progression for me and I couldn't be more thrilled about it.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>The future is looking very, very happy to me!</div><br /><br /><div></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-16895880121788509982011-10-19T20:49:00.007-06:002011-10-22T18:51:22.663-06:00This and That<div>I have no idea where October has gone. September either for that matter. And the scary thing is that soon we will be turning the page to November and then Christmas is all but upon us. Yikes, I am not ready.<br /><br />After a very enjoyable summer I am not at all ready to think about winter. Fall is usually my very favorite season of the year but this year all it makes me think of is winter - and I'm just not ready to face it. And we don't even have hard winters. But I'm not ready to give up dinners on the patio, fresh air through screen doors and even mowing the lawn. We have started the fireplace the last couple of mornings as we read our Bibles and drink our coffee. But the afternoons are lovely and we especially appreciate taking our walks in the late afternoon.<br /><br />I have been a bit of a travel bug lately. In one month I have taken three trips: a work trip to San Diego, a work trip with my husband to the mountains, and I just returned from a week in New York City and Washington DC, the highlight of the trip being that I was able to spend three whole days with my NYC daughter. We had such a great time together and she loved showing off her city. My mother and sister went along so we had a real girls week together - it was so much fun. I have vowed however, never to return to Washington DC unless my husband goes with me. He loves history as much as I and it was impossible to enjoy everything fully knowing how much he would have loved it as well. I read the book "Killing Lincoln" and finished it just in time to tour Ford's Theater. The book is a fascinating read and it was perfect to read it at just the same time I visited the sites. I highly recommend it - the writing is superb and you feel like you are actually there observing all the events of that terrible night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kO5ID7pVaJw/TqMycFyojVI/AAAAAAAADAw/MKjDcxZx7DQ/s1600/Pumpkin%2Bpatch%2B2011.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kO5ID7pVaJw/TqMycFyojVI/AAAAAAAADAw/MKjDcxZx7DQ/s400/Pumpkin%2Bpatch%2B2011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5666428214334491986" border="0" /></a>Today we all went to the Pumpkin Patch! I have been looking forward to doing this all year. There is a local farm that hosts a spectacular family/kid friendly event every year and it is so awesome. There are rides, activities, a petting zoo, pony rides, concessions and we always end the day riding a hay wagon out to the pumpkin field to pick out a pumpkin. This is a family tradition for sure!<br /><br />At the time we took this photo a little barrel train was trucking by and as you can see it captured the kids attention!<br /><br />I finally put my fall decorations out - they are my favorite but with all my traveling this year I haven't found a minute to spare. I love the colors and warm, cozy feeling they provide. Lots of candles and pumpkins and fall flowers make for a comfortable, pleasant home.<br /><br />After much discussion my husband and I made a decision to downsize a bit. My husband had a large and very fancy diesel pick-up truck that he really enjoyed. And although we could afford it, we began to discuss the wisdom in having something we didn't really need and wondered if it was a wise way to use our resources. The upkeep and maintenance of the vehicle was quite large - just changing the oil was an enormous amount of money. We had to keep a separate savings account to save money for when we needed to buy new tires for it. As we talked about it we began to realize that just because we <span style="font-style: italic;">could</span> have something so nice it didn't mean we <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span>. So he sold it and with the money we paid off the loan and bought a smaller, simpler pick-up. It is in very nice condition, it is very comfortable and it looks nice. It will be much less expensive to maintain and best of all it is not a diesel - a real perk to both of us. Neither of us liked the noise or ride of the big fancy truck. We feel like we have made a very smart decision and when you consider the payment, insurance and maintenance money we are saving we have actually given ourselves a very nice raise. A real blessing came in that we sold it to a SouthWest airline pilot. In addition to the price he paid he also gave us 8 free airline tickets to fly anywhere SouthWest flies. We also discovered they plan to start flying to Hawaii just in time for our 35th wedding anniversary! You can guess how two of the tickets will be used! We are feeling like we made a very wise decision and we couldn't be happier with our older, simpler vehicle.<br /><br />My knitting needles have been working overtime as I have begun making Christmas gifts. We are having mostly a handmade Christmas this year. I am knitting sock monkey hats for all by grandbabies and also a special scarf for my mother-in-law. It is one that I have already made for myself and she loved it and asked me to make her one. I also have a couple of secret projects going.<br /><br />Right now I am watching Boise State playing Air Force on the blue turf. I'm trying hard not to be jealous that my son-in-law is actually there! What a perfect fall afternoon to be at a game. And we are watching the World Series with great interest. My husband grew up in the St. Louis area and has been a Cardinal's fan all his life. So we are cheering them on and it has been quite fun. Go Card's!!!<br /><br />Well, that about sums about the comings and goings around here. Enjoy the weekend and give thanks for all the blessings He bestows!<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-21005024635147717482011-10-05T13:01:00.000-06:002011-10-05T13:02:27.958-06:00No Words Needed<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hE4xEzkGRfA/ToyptDhyIwI/AAAAAAAADAo/UlFpIknT26s/s1600/Bummed%2Bout..jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660085423204082434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hE4xEzkGRfA/ToyptDhyIwI/AAAAAAAADAo/UlFpIknT26s/s400/Bummed%2Bout..jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-91043564676897916862011-09-05T20:18:00.009-06:002011-09-06T10:37:28.125-06:00What Have I Been Up To?As the days of summer quickly fade into days of autumn, I find myself thinking of cozy, comforting things. It's not that we aren't still having 90 degree plus days, it's just that the evenings cool off so nicely and we wake up to 45 or 50 degree weather in the mornings. There is a definite crispness in the air. Even 90 degrees in the shade is pleasant and sweet. Although I am not ready to let go of summer yet, and I am praying for a long, warm fall, it is a natural turning of nature and it makes me yearn for apple crips and crunchy leaves. So it has been somewhat of a natural occurance that I have been spending time in my sewing room working on things made of flannel and muslin and quilting thread. Things that will turn into Christmas gifts and Christmas ornaments. I have never started this early before and I am excited about my plans. I would love to share them here - but I can't. Secrets, you know.<br /><br />And the best part about fall is that football is here again! We got together and enjoyed the first Boise State game as a family - all except for my son-in-law Brad, who actually got to go to Atlanta and BE at the game. Lucky dog! But we had a great time as you can see:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhuFFsqCVds/TmWFmEuevzI/AAAAAAAADAY/5xtLhjLvLjU/s1600/jr%2Bbroncos.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 97px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068196756373298" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhuFFsqCVds/TmWFmEuevzI/AAAAAAAADAY/5xtLhjLvLjU/s400/jr%2Bbroncos.jpg" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDQ7qWg2GVc/TmWFmTzdUPI/AAAAAAAADAg/rS2r8J1TjpI/s1600/jr%2Bbroncos%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068200803782898" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LDQ7qWg2GVc/TmWFmTzdUPI/AAAAAAAADAg/rS2r8J1TjpI/s400/jr%2Bbroncos%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htMJnUIH0tw/TmWDhlWSf1I/AAAAAAAADAA/zwsBnNl1uJ0/s1600/game%2Bnight.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 130px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649065920590675794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htMJnUIH0tw/TmWDhlWSf1I/AAAAAAAADAA/zwsBnNl1uJ0/s320/game%2Bnight.jpg" /></a>They are all just so scrumptious! We were all dressed in our BSU gear - it was so much fun!<br /><br />(I'm sorry these pictures are so small. We are currently without a camera and it makes me so sad. These were taken with my phone.)</p><br /><p><br />All football fans everywhere probably have heard of the Boise State conundrum. We keep winning and winning and winning. We have such an awesome team. Our quarterback, Kellen Moore is a fine young man of integrity and he is just so darned talented. Our Coach Pete is beloved and admired by everyone and he gets many, many offers to coach bigger schools. But he loves Boise and his family loves Boise and thankfully it sounds like he is ours for some time. But even though we keep winning and have moved to a bit of a bigger conference, ' we still don't get no respect'. When we won Georgia this last weekend (our first SEC win) we hear the same old excuse: we don't have strength of schedule, we couldn't play big schools every week. Blah, blah, blah. How we would love to - we just can't find anybody willing to play us. So we will keep on doing what Coach Pete says, just keep doing the right things and good things will happen to us.</p><br /><p><br />So with working and sewing and knitting and cooking and grandbabies and reading and football - well, now you know what I've been busy with. One thing I haven't been busy with is blogging and it is perplexing to me. There was a time when I blogged several times a week - it seems I just had so much to say. I still love blogs and read them often. But my words, well, it seems harder and harder to capture, them, formulate them and put them down on a computer screen. I'm not giving up though. I don't even know if anybody reads anymore - but that's okay. Life goes on. I will still check in from time to time to put memories and thoughts down that I can refer to again. Life is good and full and happy. Just the way it should be.<br /></p>Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-85360637199056104252011-07-23T08:34:00.005-06:002011-07-23T09:01:40.971-06:00Grandma Names - RevisitedI have been a grandmother now for just over three years. What a fun and joyful ride it has been. You always hear about how wonderful it is going to be, but sweet mercy, there is no understanding it until you experience it.<br /><br />Back in 2008 when we were expecting our first grandboy, Tyler, <a href="http://robin-robinznest.blogspot.com/2008/01/grandma-names.html">I was mulling over what I wanted my grandma "name" to be</a>. In my nearly 500 posts of blogging it has been my most searched and most read post. I still get emails asking me what name I went with.<br /><br />I'm not suprised that this is such a popular topic. It is very serious. The grandma name you choose will be yours the rest of your life and it holds much love, significance and reverence when it crosses a little ones lips. It is a connection of hearts - one heart with just a few beats and the other with lots more mileage. It is a name that thrills you like nothing else the first time you hear it and indeed, every time after.<br /><br />I knew I didn't want to have the traditional name "grandma". My grandchildren have many grandparents in their lives - blood and adopted. I wanted a name no one else would have and would set me apart so there would never be any confusion about who I was. Some people suggested I just go with Grandma Robin - which would work but I just didn't feel comfortable with having my grandchildren using my first name. Too formal I guess. Some folks told me to let my grandson pick my name out - nope, too impatient for that.<br /><br />I ended up choosing "Mia". To me it sounded close to mama - my favorite name ever. It also was short and simple. I love the way it sounds. It is unique and special and everything I wanted. My husband is Poppa - although Ava Claire calls him Poppy more often than not. We are Poppa and Mia and we love feeling the sweet, close connection those special names imply.<br /><br />I was a bit taken aback at the strong feelings people have about grandparent names. Some people just tell you to your face that it is "stupid" to have a name other than grandma or grandpa. Really? Some people refuse to use your grandparent name - that's okay. Other people love it and totally get it. Most often those are the people who can't wait to be grandparents. My grandkids are at the age where they are learning that grandparents are the parents of their parents and it's so fun to watch the confusion turn to understanding in their little minds. There is not a single doubt that they know us as their grandparents.<br /><br />Here is a fun little quiz to help you decide what your grandma name should be. Click <a href="http://grandparents.about.com/library/GrandmotherQuiz/blwhich.htm">here</a> and take the quiz and then let me know what it said. It's a good thing to start pondering this most special name early - and it's really the only time in your life you get to choose your own name!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-68382529342214857372011-07-15T12:15:00.011-06:002011-07-15T13:50:03.996-06:00Summer DazeI don't think I could possibly love summer more than I already do. Dark doesn't come until after 10 p.m. and the days still aren't long enough to do all I want to do. The hobbies and activities of short, cold days are put aside and gardening, walking, enjoying the patio, filling the pool for the grandbabies, and watching the grass grow fills their place. Flowers, freshly mowed grass and hungry little goldfinches flitting around their feeder soothes my soul in ways nothing else can. I find myself occasionally thinking ahead to the cold and it makes me anxious so I cast those thoughts aside and decide to deal with them later. It's much to nice outside to let anything discourage me.<br /><br />Our summer has been lovely. At first I didn't think it would ever get here. We had the coolest, wettest spring and early June - very un-desert like. But around the first of July it began to warm up and it has been perfect ever since. Since we enjoy all our free time in the back yard, we re-designed the front yard beds to be shrub only and moved all the flowers that require care to the back yard. It makes much more sense. The front yard maintains itself and I can be weeding and watering in the back where everyone else is usually congregated. It is also much more private and I have been known to be out watering in my nightgown with cup of coffee in hand. Pure bliss!<br /><br />We took a wonderful two week vacation. We took a road trip and traveled across Idaho, Montana, the Dakota's and Wyoming. So much fun history to discover. So much beauty. There was a spot in South Dakota where I looked to the east and saw endless prairie, (I am such a prairie girl at heart), but when I looked to the west I saw hills and pine trees. I told my husband this would be the perfect spot to live because we would both be able to see what we love the most. Two weeks in a small car together with our little dog Willow was so much fun and at the end when we pulled in the driveway we looked at each other and said, "We should just back up and do that all over again." I think that's a sure sign it was a good vacation.<br /><br />The babies are growing faster than the weeds. Tyler turned three years old. He is full of mischief, still thinks his poppa is the best thing ever, loves any sport and he totally melts my heart. His little brother Aiden is going to be one next month. He is the happiest little boy ever and in all the ways is brother is boisterous and loud he is observant and sweet. They got to go on a summer trip to San Diego and they loved the beach. Is there anything cuter than babies on a beach?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4KMhNBSeFc/TiCIYjnnbxI/AAAAAAAAC-4/Suma7W2Dn2w/s1600/Aidenbeach_s.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 183px; height: 137px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b4KMhNBSeFc/TiCIYjnnbxI/AAAAAAAAC-4/Suma7W2Dn2w/s320/Aidenbeach_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629649489672761106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdeuflg3ZxI/TiCIY8mqW0I/AAAAAAAAC_A/KFrdbXBmGPs/s1600/Tylerbeach_s.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 154px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdeuflg3ZxI/TiCIY8mqW0I/AAAAAAAAC_A/KFrdbXBmGPs/s320/Tylerbeach_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629649496379644738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Sweet Ava Claire is my sweet and only little granddaughter. She often says to me "You are my GrandMudder". I say "Yes, and your are my granddaughter." She smiles and says, "I love you GrandMudder." And then my heart just turns into a puddle of mush and I give her anything she wants! LOL! I LOVE this picture of her - she was upset because she couldn't have any candy. Someone said "I would never give her candy if she looked like that"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j77oVVC76c/TiCZajSytrI/AAAAAAAAC_o/3EpTgFQi3VU/s1600/Ava%2Bpoutings.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j77oVVC76c/TiCZajSytrI/AAAAAAAAC_o/3EpTgFQi3VU/s320/Ava%2Bpoutings.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629668215642830514" border="0" /></a><br />And sweet Ryan is already 4 months old. He has the biggest smile and the most beautiful eyes. He is at the age that he wants to do so much that his little body can't do yet so he gets frustrated. What a joy he is and he loves his big sister so much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/---UCz_DyhEA/TiCLjkNK2RI/AAAAAAAAC_g/JXaIlxW3mk4/s1600/DSCN0849.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 163px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/---UCz_DyhEA/TiCLjkNK2RI/AAAAAAAAC_g/JXaIlxW3mk4/s320/DSCN0849.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629652977343715602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />So, you see, life has been very good this summer. Lots of family time and traveling time and good old rest for the soul time. I'll be more regular at blogging again when the leaves begin to fall and the breeze turns cold. Until then know that I am good and well and enjoying all the gifts that God has given me!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-61323711628868086332011-05-26T13:43:00.003-06:002011-05-26T14:07:48.573-06:0060 Quick Baby Knits - A Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lb1_ucno6z0/Td6y4ynNeCI/AAAAAAAAC-k/kHI303UZ2eg/s1600/60%2Bquick%2Bbaby%2Bknits"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 144px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lb1_ucno6z0/Td6y4ynNeCI/AAAAAAAAC-k/kHI303UZ2eg/s320/60%2Bquick%2Bbaby%2Bknits" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611118874478868514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U1pmdGw8g0k/Td6yyc7NROI/AAAAAAAAC-c/1EXUT8d3cTg/s1600/60%2Bquick%2Bbaby%2Bknits"><br /></a><br />I recently bought a copy of 60 Quick Baby Knits featuring Cascade 220 Superwash yarn. I thought it would be fun to share a review of this book.<br /><br />60 Quick Baby Knits is exactly what the title implies. The book includes 60 patterns of baby items that can be knit fairly quickly and easily. Every pattern is photographed beautifully in high quality photos enabling the knitter to see the front and many times the back of each item. The quality of the photographs is very good - the stitch definition of each piece is clear and very visible.<br /><br />I like the idea that every pattern in the book is knit up in Cascade 220 Superwash yarn. This is a quality wool yarn that has been treated so that it does not felt or shrink. It is machine washable and dryable which in my opinion, is very important if you are knitting something for a baby. Cascade 220 Superwash is available in many bright and fun colors and the price is very reasonable.<br /><br />I paid $12 for my copy. Typically I don't buy pattern books because there is usually only one or two patterns I would be interested in actually knitting and I cannot justify the price of a whole book for that. However, there are about 25 patterns in this book that I would like to knit and probably about 10 that I will knit. That makes the price per pattern very reasonable.<br /><br />The patterns are fun and some of them are just unique enough to grab my attention. I especially like the sheep hat which features the head and front legs of a sheep on the front of the hat and the tail and back legs on the back of the hat. There is also a sweet Ruffled Cloche flapper style hat that I can see on my little granddaughter. I also especially like the fact that there are several boy patterns that are clever, colorful and they look fun to knit. It is hard to find cute little boy knitting patterns and I have marked about 5 in this book alone that I can picture myself knitting for my little grandsons. Among those is a very cute cabled fisherman sweater and a tennis vest.<br /><br />I also like that there are several blanket patterns in this book. I have knit a few blankets for my grandbabies and my daughters have become big fans of knitted baby blankets. They are soft, warm, and they stretch and wrap around baby in a very snuggle-y fashion. Baby blankets knit up fairly quickly, especially with a worsted weight yarn. They make great gifts for those special babies in your life. This book contains patterns for baby blankets that have unique shapes - not just the typical square or rectangle blanket.<br /><br />This book means what it says when it says Baby knits. Most patterns only go up to a size 18 months and a couple are written up to 24 months. I would have liked it to up to toddler sizes but it does not. If I were a more confident knitter I could try revising the patterns - but I am not there yet!<br /><br />Overall, this book was well worth it's money. Each pattern is rated easy, intermediate, or experienced and the back of the book contains a small legend of abbreviations and stitch diagrams. The information is not extensive by any means. There is an 8 inch ruler on the back cover which I think is very handy.<br /><br />This book can be purchased at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/60-Quick-Baby-Knits-Superwash/dp/1936096137/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1306440219&sr=1-1">Amazon</a> or <a href="http://productsearch.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.aspx?store=BOOK&WRD=60+quick+baby+knits+blankets+booties+sweaters&page=&prod=univ&choice=book&query=60+quick+baby+knits+blankets+booties+sweaters&flag=False&pos=0&box=60&ugrp=2">Barnes and Noble</a>. Go ahead and get a copy - I think you will find a lot of useful and fun patterns for your knitting pleasure.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-44150186384952269932011-05-20T22:24:00.005-06:002011-05-21T12:30:04.307-06:00Cleaning HouseSo the plan for today was that I was going to get some yardwork done. I needed to clean up my flower beds and finally plant some flowers. Our weather has been so bi-polar this year. We have had so much wind and rain and even snow. It's been very strange. So I was all set to weed and hoe and clean up and then finally plant a couple of tomato plants and some multi-colored flowers.<br /><br />And then Ava Claire showed up. And she had other plans. She was playing in the playhouse and I was pulling weeds and it wasn't too long before she wanted me to help her do a little spring cleaning.<br /><br />"Mia, wanna' help me clean!" Well of course I do sweet girl~<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEwgtn__ZBk/TddAfbJ7IQI/AAAAAAAAC9s/eMTdq3WjxTY/s1600/DSCN0829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kEwgtn__ZBk/TddAfbJ7IQI/AAAAAAAAC9s/eMTdq3WjxTY/s400/DSCN0829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609022769522745602" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I brought out some warm, soapy water and we got busy washing the kitchen down and cleaning up all the dishes. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoHdoZzUI5s/TddCdSXPgwI/AAAAAAAAC90/Hji8M9fBfyc/s1600/DSCN0820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SoHdoZzUI5s/TddCdSXPgwI/AAAAAAAAC90/Hji8M9fBfyc/s400/DSCN0820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609024931826205442" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml9coiN-uqg/TddCdkrJ_ZI/AAAAAAAAC98/Vpx98iak6zI/s1600/DSCN0824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ml9coiN-uqg/TddCdkrJ_ZI/AAAAAAAAC98/Vpx98iak6zI/s400/DSCN0824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609024936741567890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />While we washed dishes Ava said things like "So how is your day going Mia?" And "My day is going good Mia." She is such a big talker!<br /><br />When we got it all clean we sat down for tea and sandwiches.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCgslmz7khs/TddCePKfPSI/AAAAAAAAC-M/IjyLKtLfyDI/s1600/DSCN0825.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TCgslmz7khs/TddCePKfPSI/AAAAAAAAC-M/IjyLKtLfyDI/s400/DSCN0825.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609024948147272994" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My flower beds didn't look much better at the end of the day but there is always tomorrow. And I must say I have never enjoyed doing the dishes more!Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35565357.post-12047556360331513022011-05-15T20:36:00.004-06:002011-05-15T21:35:40.296-06:00Hello Again, HelloSo what have I been up to lately???<br /><br />Being a grandmother to my four little sweeties! I love being with them - they are growing so fast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryrb6gJMlGc/TdCUr1lfnsI/AAAAAAAAC9k/tRwSvIZ1rlo/s1600/DSCN0785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ryrb6gJMlGc/TdCUr1lfnsI/AAAAAAAAC9k/tRwSvIZ1rlo/s400/DSCN0785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607145016915893954" border="0" /></a><br />Lots and lots of knitting. I am working on my first adult sized sweater right now. I have more projects in mind than I will ever be able to complete. I love that!<br /><br />We just finished One Thousand Gifts in our Ladies' Bible Study. As I have mentioned, that book has had a profound impact on my life. I have grown so much through it.<br /><br />I had a wonderful, unexpected visit from my daughter Tara over Mother's Day weekend. Our family was able to get away to the mountains for a couple of days and it was so wonderful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OR11NEJPzWU/TdCS8zkdewI/AAAAAAAAC9c/pODMtWfsJrM/s1600/DSCN0795.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OR11NEJPzWU/TdCS8zkdewI/AAAAAAAAC9c/pODMtWfsJrM/s400/DSCN0795.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607143109409209090" border="0" /></a><br />Mostly I have just been taking life a day at a time. Marking off events and responsibilities and appointments as they come and go, planning our summer vacation, waiting for the weather to warm up for more than two days in a row and generally just trying to slow the days down.<br /><br />It's good to be back.Robinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05000458717596988346noreply@blogger.com2