~Mary~

Free Community Christmas Dinner For Everyone

~Mary~

Merry Christmas Eve

~Mary~

Who Are Demeter and Persephone

How is that for a title. Any guesses?

First of all, this is the first day of WINTER.  Does that help?

Well, let me tell you the story about Demeter and Persephone.  "According to Greek mythology, they were goddesses who ruled over the growth and death of the earth's vegatation.


One day, Demeter, goddess of all growing things, could not find her beloved daughter, Persephone. For nine days she search and asked after the child, but no one had seen her.

On the 10th day, Triptolemus told how the earth opened up and a chariot drawn by black horses appeared and disappeared, the drivers face obscured but his right arm tightly clasping a struggling maiden.

Demeter then knew that Hades, god of the underworld, had stolen Persephone, probably in collusion with his brother Zeus, ruler of the gods.

Demeter refused to return to Olympus, home of the gods, and wandered the earth, lamenting her loss and forbidding the trees to yield fruit and the fields to bear grain. Gifts and sweet-talk failed to move Demeter. Zeus was powerless to save the race of man.

Zeus sent a message to Hades, and they agreed to release Persephone if only she had not eaten the food of the dead. Persephone, though sorely tempted, had not eaten a bit from a crust of bread nor a sip of water.

Their ruse having failed, Zeus and Hades were obliged to release Persephone to her mother's arms, when a gardener appeared, claiming to have seen Persephone eat six seeds of a pomegranate plucked from Hades orchard.

Demeter remained adamant. and Hades was forced to release Persephone. Save for 3 months when she would rule with Hades as Queen of the underworld.

It is during those 3 month that nothing grows while Demeter mourns the annual loss of her beloved daughter Persephone. And that is why we have WINTER."

So, there you have it. Just a little more trivia!


These lovely pieces of garden wall art were  given to me by a friend who included this story of the origin and inspiration for the artist.

Happy Holidays,

~Mary~

Christmas Pageant

 

Jingle Nose

Jingle Nose by Connie Togel from Sheep Incognito. Take a look at her fun and colorful masterpieces.

http://www.charisma-art.com  Outstanding!

Note by the artist.    The sheep can’t stand reindeer harnesses – we tried. Noses work infinitely better for attaching bells to sheep.

Have fun.

~Mary~

Basketweave Scarf

Another Christmas gift finished! This pattern is called Basketweave Scarf designed by Ann Budd. It is available on knittingdaily web site. It worked up nicely with some Filatura De Crosa italian wool yarn that I purchased a long time ago on ebay. After washing in wool wash and blocking, it feels very soft. It is about 60 inches long and I am very pleased. And, I thing the recipient will like it.

~Mary~

Oatmeal Cinnamon Chip Cookies

I am feeling the holiday spirit and have drifted into the kitchen to do some holiday baking. These cookies are really good. The recipe is on the back of the cinnamon chips package by Hersey's. I can't show photos of the kitchen because it is a real mess. I don't remember making such messes when baking in the past. Oh well, I'll clean it up soon. Perhaps, after I make another batch of cookies.

~Mary~

Pink Parfait Is Finished

Yes, another shawl for charity knitting is finished. Our group meets at a World Mercantile and this photo was taken there just before I gave it to the group for distribution to someone in need. I almost forgot to take a photo but I am glad I remembered after I was at the meeting.

~Mary~

Let's Get Dressed For The Holiday

~Mary~

When The White Snow Falls

Christmas

When the white snow falls
as if the sky was floating gently to the ground
The cool air around me
at winter time
blows the snow around in various circles
And the white ground looks as if painted
everywhere around
covered all about
The children
having snowball fights
in the mist of nature's masterpiece
Enjoying themselves
on nature's wonderful time of year
And some inside
on an open fire
roasting marshmellows
'til they're brown and crisp
And others still
inside their homes
decorating trees with shiny ornaments
making nature's masterpiece
even better than it was

-by Alexander

~Mary~

More Snow

Stay warm!

~Mary~

It Is Snowing

And the power went off at 9AM and did not come back on until 4:30 PM!  When I changed the blog banner a couple days ago, I never thought we were going to have snow this soon. But then, we did have snow on Christmas Day last year.

I think it is so pretty.  Since we do not get snow very often, it is always a thrill for me to see the snow.

Growing up in Southern California, we did not see snow but rarely.

 All the the shrubs are weighted down with the snow. Some of the branches are probably broken because of the weight of the snow.

 

Can you see the blue table set under the snow?

 

Hope you are having a warm and cozy day.

~Mary~

Red And White

Just a little post and pictures of some dishcloths that I finished last night. They will be gifts for seven of my friends that I am having dinner with tonight. A click on the photo will show you the different knit stitches that I used. It was fun!

Hope you are having a wonderful Holiday Season.

~Mary~

Repetitive Parfait Motion

Sometimes rhythmic motion can be very therapeutic. There has been one thing that has helped me during the past days when I have not been feeling like my "ol' self" and that is the rhythm of knitting. But, the knitting has to be simple Garter Stitch without a specific pattern. Since I am knitting for people in less fortunate situations than myself it makes me feel good to be doing something for others. I guess that compassion is in my DNA. My nursing career was based on service for others and I enjoyed that aspect very much.

So, let's take a look at what I have been up to. It is another shawl. No surprise there! A simple item, nothing extraordinary but enjoyable.

It is smaller than the Tudor and Baroque afghan that I finished lately. It is definitely a shawl that will be about 20 inches wide and 60 inches long. The pattern is on the wrapper of the Lion Brand Homespun yarn that I am using. The color is Parfait. I should have it finished in a day or two.

I am still working on the  Shoulder Wrap with the lace stitch collar. I am more than 3/4th finished on the collar. The stitch is a little too tedious for me to work on when I am not feeling "on top of my game". But, I am really looking forward to getting back to it.

The dark yarn color Corinthian makes it a  little more difficult for me to work on in the evening. Natural day light makes it a lot easier. If I use the same pattern again I will use a solid color yarn so that the lovely lace pattern will show better. I am quite sure I will be making more than one of these shawls.

In the past, I never liked this yarn very much. I really did not like working with it and never thought I would ever buy any more of it. But, since starting charity knitting/crocheting, I have changed my mind. That's a  women's right, isn't it?

 I hope all of you are having a Fabulous day.

~Mary~

A Beautiful Sight

Since I have nothing of interest to post about, I have been surfing blogland and I have come upon a blog  that I would like to share with you. I don't think Karen will mind if I share my enthusiasm in her new sewing room with you. This room was created in a month following an unfortunate (to say the least) house event that involved severe water damage.

If you like to sew/quilt, this is the  "TO DIE FOR SEWING ROOM".  Look at all that floor space, wall space and storage space! And, the creme de la creme  - - those WINDOWS and VIEW. Go take a look.

 

 Sew Many Ways has just finished an exquisite black and white sewing room. The colors are only part of what make this room so special. I dare you to find something missing in her design.  It looks like it has all of the elements that you could want to make it not only functional but gorgeous! She is my kind of gal. One who likes to repurpose  furniture, create useful things and do-it-yourself or maybe do-it-sister type of person.

Day by day, I am getting my strength back after my recent medication reaction.

Hope all of you are having a good Saturday.

~Mary~

Happy Thanksgiving to All

~Mary~

Make That Turkey Stop

He makes me tired just watching him. He does not know how tenacious I can be. This is what happened last year when I set out to find a turkey! All kidding aside, last years turkey was delicious. It is hard to go wrong with a roasted turkey.

I have always enjoyed cooking and still do quite a lot of cooking. I don't have the sense to stop looking at recipes. Is that one of the criteria for loving to cook? Perhaps, it is just another addiction. The difference between now and then (when I was young) is the long list of favorites (which means, must try) are on the computer and have taken the place of magazine clippings. I can't deny that I still clip a few magazines!

Aside from turkey chasing, I am feeling very poorly. I had to stop the new medication. I talked to the doctor last night. I don't know where I go from here. The one and only thing I know for sure is that I can not wait until this medication is out of my system. I have had one $#*&@ of a week that I never want to repeat. I have come to believe that the ?cure is worse than the problem! After 16 years of trying to find a medication, I should have know better. The only difference in this medication from last time I tried to use it is the "time released" factor. I did not want to be a quitter or I would have stopped taking it sooner. This way, there is no doubt in my head that this medication or any in the same category which I have probably already tried are NOT for me.  Pain is  one thing but incapacitation is a very different "kettle of fish", especially when you inflict it on yourself. OK, I 'm putting this chapter on the book shelf never to be read again. I will continue hopefulness in science bringing us something other than pills for pain!

I am looking forward to feeling well enough to drive the car and getting out and about, especially since we are having wonderful Thanksgiving weather.

Wishing all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

~Mary~

Want Some Turkey Dinner

Are You Getting Ready

For Christmas?

What fun it is to make these colorful and quick dishcloths. The Peaches and Creme cotton yarn is so easy to work with. I have gifted many friends with these little packages of love. They are always received with enthusiasm.

This is a spontaneous "pick-up" project that drew my attention this morning. Unfortunately, this is another morning/day of light-headedness and dizziness from the new medication. I am really having trouble just staying awake let alone walking around. I am hanging in there as long as I stay safe.  I am waiting patiently for the side effects to diminish!  I will be going to physical therapy this coming week and I have to get steadier on my feet.

Have a  Fun and Creative day.

~Mary~