Aunt Tammy

Introducing Nephew Z!

What a wonderful weekend! I spent it in Springfield, MO at my brothers house. My dad was also visiting from Texas. The highlight of course was my nephew! He’s 2 1/2 years old and talking up a storm! He knows all his letters and can even spell a few words. While we were driving to check out antique stores, he said “stop sign…S T O P”!!!

Here’s my brother and little Z being goofy!

But my all time favorite thing that happened this weekend was when nephew Z woke up Saturday morning, he said “Where is Tammy?” I can tell when someone knew me by whether they call me Tammy or Tamara. Tammy was pre-30, Tamara post-30. It is always strange to hear someone call me Tammy, but it was so sweet to hear my nephew ask for me in that adorable little voice of his!

Here is a picture of my Dad and little nephew Z.

My Dad is retired and loves to make things with wood. Here is the birdhouse he made for us!

Very little knitting was done this weekend. I did show off how I can spin with my drop spindle!

Today, my package from the Ravelry mmmmmmmmmmalabrigo swap arrived. This is my second time in this swap, it is very well run and it is so much fun to purchase for someone then receive a surprise in the mail! Check it out! I love the pink and lavender colors of the lace yarn! Sooooooooo pretty. Not sure what will become of it yet.

What did you do last night?

Last night was knit night at Kaldi’s. I just love knit night, I look forward to it every week. Lots of great sharing of knitting, great conversation and I always learn something new. Last night Susan taught me how to spin on a drop spindle! I’ve had the drop spindle for close to a year, and had never done anything with it. I’m going to need a lot of practice! I need another addiction, no? heh heh

Here is a picture I snagged from Susan.

I showed off my monkey sock and have started the second. The pattern was really fun to knit. Just enough lace to keep the knitting from being boring.

I’m excited that I am spending the weekend at my brother’s house in Springfield, MO. I’ll get to love on my adorable nephew. My father is in town from Texas, so it will be a extra special visit! We plan to hit the antique stores on Saturday…always a fun time! Have a great weekend!

Craft, Rock Listen podcast is coming back for season two! Check it out!

Graduation and Monkey’s

He did it!

Son #1’s graduation ceremony was held outside at the football stadium. It was a cold and extremely windy day. They got through maybe 30 graduates crossing the stage, and they canceled the ceremony due to the weather. The 1,500 graduates cheered and were happy to leave the football field! They announced “You are now graduates, move your tassel to the other side!” So, he didn’t get to walk across the stage, but he is a graduate!! YAY! He left tonight for six weeks in New Zealand! Lucky kid!

I had a very emotional goodbye with the boys. I’m not sure if it was because it was Mother’s Day, or because I had to face that I wouldn’t be seeing them for awhile. Son #2 is staying in Colorado for the summer and Son #1 is either staying in Colorado or going to California once he returns from his trip. I really miss them not being near me. It is hard to be a mother…hard to let go. We all had a great visit though!

I almost finished the first monkey sock this past week. I started it just before getting on the plane to Denver, and worked on it when I had a chance. Son #1 and I were very busy getting him moved out of his apartment, cleaning, laundry, getting new contacts, clothing, etc.

I feel like a true sock knitter now that I have knit the monkey sock! I am knitting them with yarn I got in the Taste of Germany collection: Sheepaints, Sock’n Go on size 2 circular needles. I really like knitting with two circs.

I had two awesome packages awaiting me when I returned from the trip. First was the Ravelry Swap on a Budget package.

Then a package which contained Wollmeise! I won it in Becca’s Forward Motion blog contest! Lucky me! Gewitterhimmel

Second Set of Socks!

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Originally uploaded by RiverCitySTL / LoomyMama

Here is the first of my second set of socks!

Birds

We have a lot of interesting birds visit our little neck of the woods. Check out this duck out of the water.

This guy has a powerful beak, he is a Pileated Woodpecker. This is the woodpecker that inspired “Woody Woodpecker.” This guy is old, his eyes are cloudy and I don’t think he can see very well. We can be standing just inside the window and he doesn’t even notice unless we make a sound to tip him off. He has become my Hubby’s buddy.

I finished my first pair of socks!!! Yahooo!! Thanks again to my new best friend for life, Jeannie, for donating her leftover yarn so that i could finish them!

A Mom’s Reflection

Holding, rocking your child. There are few moments in life as beautiful. Through the years, I’ve forgotten many moments. I am joyful that it is not hard at all to remember how holding my son’s felt.

I’ve always been a bit crafty. Here is a counted cross stitch I made for my oldest son in 1986.
I wish I could find this pattern, it is so cute, I’d love to make it again. I can remember stitching this while pregnant, then finishing it once Jesse was born.

I’m in a reflective kinda mood…my baby boy will graduate from college on Saturday, the day before Mother’s Day. I just can’t get over the fact that my little baby is a college graduate. Wow!

I’ve often said that being a mother is the most important job I will ever have, and I continue to believe that to be true. It has not only been the most important job, it has been the most enjoyable, one in which I NEVER want to retire!

Jesse may be an adult, but he will always be my little boy. I suspect I’ll be a bit mushy when I watch him walk and get his diploma. I suspect I’ll always be mushy when it comes to my boys.

Score!

Here are the crafty books I got at the St Louis book fair today! The books were $1- $3 each!!! SCORE! If you are in the area, its a must not miss event! I’ve never seen so many books in one place that were not in a public library!

I finished the baby sweater! I discovered (too late) that I did one repeat less than I should have of the lace pattern. I didn’t even notice until I was finishing the bind off. Once I’ve bound off, I’m onto the next project, there is no going back!

I started my second pair of socks. I’m still using the Sensational Knitted Socks book, this time using the Six Stitch Stansfield Pattern with two size 2 circs and OnLine Supersocke yarn. I’m really enjoying knitting with two circs, it seems to be moving quicker than with double points.

Notice the cute key chain in the picture? I won it in a contest on this blog! Kimberly is a home schooling Mom of 5, an Army wife and a talented weaver and spinner. Check out her blog! Thanks Kimberly!