tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32726238013854549082024-03-13T07:12:36.243-07:00humble threadsSusan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-17145076241571864832009-03-27T00:14:00.000-07:002009-03-27T00:41:29.534-07:00Oh happy dayToday, I downloaded three free ebooks from <a href="http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/index1.htm">Hillbilly Housewife</a>. I highly recommend them because they are free and they are actually quite interesting. I'm grateful that she puts out so much free content. Between her Web site, the blog, and the free ebooks...and now there is going to be a Hillbilly Housewife club....well, it's quite a lot of free information. I'm guessing that this is her time to shine.<br /><br />People are becoming interested in frugality as never before. I have seen the cutest posts on the Weight Watchers forums. Young married women are posting about their adventures in trying to shop and cook frugal. One young woman said that something weird happened when she cooked chicken stock from scratch. She put it in the fridge overnight and thought that she could lift the fat off the top in the morning. But she said the fat is "all mixed in" because the stock turned in to a solid block. I explained to her that the jelly-like substance is actually gelatin from the bones, not fat. Then she replied that she was able to see the difference between the thin layer of fat on top and the stock. That tickled me because I remember being mystified by a lot of things when I was first learning to cook and do things from scratch.<br /><br />I have been feeling strongly compelled to learn as much about frugality and saving money as possible. It started a year or 2 ago. I'm not sure what started this feeling but maybe it was a sense that the country was taking a downward turn from prosperity and unchecked growth to our current mess.<br /><br />I also have had a desire for a really long time to write a Christian cookbook. I hesitate to share the name that I have daydreamed about because I don't want to ruin it. But it would be about fellowship, sharing food with others, frugal cooking, etc. I think we should be called as Christians to be hospitible, even if we don't have a lot of money. I love the idea of sharing a meal with someone else in a spirit of humility and love of God.<br /><br />By the way, if you have a strong stomach and can handle subject matter that is frankly disgusting and reprehensible, read this article by a Catholic theologian called "<a href="http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/mikeaquilina/theearlychurch/02.asp">Roman Cruelty, Christian Purity</a>". I didn't realize that the common culture at the time of the early Christians was quite so vile and immoral. I should have known. But the article kind of paints the full picture of what was going on. Sick beyond belief. Praise God's mercy that he brought the way of salvation to such a disgusting people.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-20437859983013272132009-03-19T17:07:00.000-07:002009-03-19T17:31:14.229-07:00I was banned from ravelry!Yes, humble little me got caught up in Casey Forbe's dragnet. It seems strange. I mean, all I did was join the McCain/Palin group the day after the election. I was upset. My candidate lost! And I felt kinda bad that I didn't join his ravelry group sooner. Instead, I was all caught up in the Palin adoration and had joined a couple of ravelry Palin groups. So, yeah, I joined the McCain/Palin group the day after the election to make myself feel a little better.<br /><br />Feel a little better, I did! Man! What a great group of ladies! They are conservative AND they knit/crochet/etc. We had so much to talk about, but mainly, our conversation in the days after the election was about how we felt about the new President and the expected changes (HELL, the promised changes, since Obama made such a big deal about being all about change). We laughed. We cried. We analyzed change.gov together. I will never forget those special times we shared together, as we started to realize how scary the Obama presidency was going to be.<br /><br />See, I can say Obama is "scary" because I am a conservative, and liberal political agendas are scary. And what makes Obama's agendas even more scary is how far reaching and invasive they are. But that's besides the point.<br /><br />The point is that we had something special there. Now, I don't know about whether there were some members causing trouble. I'm not omniscient. Maybe Obama is, because he seems to have a zillion people who think he is a god. But I am not aware of everything that is taking place around me in the whole wide world web. But I will tell you this. I never saw outrageous, abusive things taking place. What I did see happening every single day was this: overly zealous Obama supporters took it upon themselves to "visit" our group (which had been renamed, from McCain/Palin to "the bunker", as a safe place for conservatives to gather) and educate and argue with us about how we are wrong about Obama and he really is the next best thing to sliced bread. Then they visited us in droves and clicked "funny" on our serious posts and "disagree" on nearly everything we wrote. They would click "funny" to be hurtful, when the context made it clear it was an insult for there was nothing to laugh about (when someone died, for example).<br /><br />We were harrassed quite a lot! And Casey Forbes knew it. But he wants to insist that his ravelry forums must remain complete open because that's his vision of the community, or whatever. He doesn't want to get rid of politics on ravelry. He just wanted to get rid of us, I guess! It was the only conservative group on ravelry that was really vibrant and popular. So that had to die a hideous death in the name of "fairness". (I won't go in to the bit about all the other groups on ravelry that do all the things we were accused of. You can read about that elsewhere!)<br /><br />I just wanted to explain that the bunker was a cool thing because it was a rare experience. Most of the time, when I join a crafting website, it's predominantly liberal and there is no sense of "Hey, I'm a conservative crafter". The bunker stood out for that very reason. I really hope the bunkerites pull it together and continue on in that spirit.<br /><br />You might be asking yourself how I know that the people on the crafting sites are predominantly liberal. Well, it's because they wear ugly horn-rimmed glasses and have boy haircuts.<br />That's how! Just kidding.<br /><br />Actually, you know it mainly because of the obnoxious political icons and the way they are so free to express their liberal opinions all the time. The very fact that nobody bats an eye or argues with them tells you that the vast majority of people are liberal too.<br /><br />Unfortunately, right now it's not very fun because everyone is in shock at getting banned for no good reason.<br /><br />And I'm also sad that the bunker archives are wiped (or they are in the process of deleting them?) There were some great theads there, many of them started by me! (I love my own jokes the best!)<br /><br />For instance, I really enjoyed the "You are invited to the bunker ball" thread where I said, "You are invited, but please, no barf green, matronly frocks or dresses that make you look like a mummy wrapped in toilet paper". Then many people posted pictures of ball gowns made of toilet paper and other assorted garbage. It was so great!!!<br /><br />Those were the days! Now it's going to be much more boring and repressed on ravelry. People are going to think twice before posting stuff like that! Censorship is alive and well on ravelry!!!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-72111779670922261672009-02-16T06:51:00.000-08:002009-02-16T06:53:26.060-08:00A pretty crocheted necklace (pattern)<a href="http://www.berroco.com/exclusives/ponte_vecchio/ponte_vecchio.html">This</a> is a pretty crocheted necklace. I might have to make a few of those and give them as gifts or perhaps even sell them.<br /><br />Nothing much going on here these days. Just taking care of family and trying to get my act together!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-84716758784126124092009-01-09T19:58:00.000-08:002009-01-09T20:02:28.639-08:00QuietI have no words these days. I really don't. I have been too busy and have experienced some things that I found uncomfortable and stressful. So when I find myself alone, I just rest and try to reconnect with God because only He can comfort me and give me peace. I wish things were different. I hope for things to improve in the new year. But I sense this will be a year full of challenges. I recently ran across Proverbs 14:1 and it hit me hard:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.</span><br /><br />I need to remember to build up and not tear down.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-40037693493077733522008-12-02T19:18:00.000-08:002008-12-02T19:47:42.781-08:00Things about me you don't knowI have the hardest time getting a sense of familiarity or friendliness with people. I often am haunted by the feeling that people look down on me or disapprove of me or dislike me. I don't know how to read people. I read in to the slightest little things. But on the other hand, then I look at the big picture and I think I must be instinctively right that people don't like me because I have so few friends and people in all different situations in my life show a marked disinterest in me. For example, in college I was a loner and even though I tried really hard to socialize, I never made any friends. The friends I did have drifted away or just didn't seem to value my friendship very much (they didn't call me very often, they didn't ask me out, they would only sometimes accept my invitations, etc.) Then when I joined a church, I tried to be involved and it was basically the same thing. I served a lot. I went to fellowship meetings, etc. But after 7 years in the same church, I only have 1 or 2 friends to speak of. And they almost never call me. I call them and make invitations but they are usually unavailable or too busy.<br /><br />It could just be a symptom of the times. People are just too busy/stressed/preoccupied to place much value in other people.<br /><br />But I always get this weird feeling like I rub people the wrong way. I'm just out of step with the world. It's not a spiritual thing, or that I am special and different. I think maybe I just have that personality to be alienated or out of step. My values are a lot different than most people and I think about and care about things that most people might not be interested in.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just so selfish and self absorbed that people can't handle me for very long. That's a possibility. I started going to a new church and I noticed after attending for awhile that the Pastor made mention in his sermon how we should make an effort to show interest in other people and ask them about themselves. I wondered if he thinks I am that way. I do talk about myself a lot. Mainly it's because I have a hard time knowing what to ask people. When I ask people about themselves, they might say one or 2 things and then just stop talking. I get tired of feeling like I am interviewing people. I feel like if they aren't inspired to share, then I can just keep talking or say something more. Conversations are tiring. I do make an effort. But I try to entertain people, I think. Because I'll do a bit of back and forth, but then I'll tell a little funny anecdote or make a joke, or whatever. I think perhaps I try too hard. And what is the point because it's not like I'm winning over people by doing this.<br /><br />I would love to be able to be silently friendly, and when I do speak, I say something very appropriate and comforting to the person. But that's just not my style. I'm not that sophisticated. I just say whatever.<br /><br />My husband has told me that he thinks people don't like talking to me because they see that I am too perceptive and they feel like they are being "seen". Or maybe he means "scrutinized". I am curious about people, but maybe I look at them weird when I am talking to them. I really don't know. I should carry a hand mirror with me and whip it out and see what I look like when I am looking at other people. But that would probably weird them out more!<br /><br />I just honestly don't sense very much goodwill from other people. I can honestly say that there are exceptions to the rule. There are some really warm people I know. But I don't see them very often. I should give them a call. Or send them a card and just let them know I appreciate their warmth and genuine caring. It might come across as odd because I haven't talked to them in a few months. Since I changed my church, I really haven't had a reason to talk to the few people I did appreciate. But that doesn't mean I can't reach out.<br /><br />I wish people were kinder. I really do!<br /><br />I was reading about "Asperger's Syndrome" recently. Maybe I have that. It's a really mild mild form of Autism that has no intellectual deficit (you might even be gifted) but you have a lot of problems socially. I am guessing that I don't have that because I was actually very coordinated as a kid. And my handwriting was pretty good. But I remember always feeling socially out of step. Looking back, I was a pretty good looking kid. There was nothing really different or wrong with my appearance. Yet I had a really hard time in school and was picked on a lot. Mainly I felt it was because I was nice to the 2 girls in school that everyone else hated. So I was astrocized because of it. But anyhow, I was reading about Asperger's Syndrome and they were talking about how young Aspie's can get social training as a part of their education. This one program in San Jose is teaching the young kids to make "mental file cards" for each of their friends, so they can remember specific things about individuals. I assume the purpose is so that they can remember to ask, "How did your dance recital go?" and "I brought a twinkie in my lunch because I know you like them, here have this." I am just assuming. I really have no idea. But I was thinking that maybe a lot of us can use the "mental file card" system with friends. I think I'll work on that!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-8320660332142568962008-11-08T13:29:00.000-08:002008-11-08T13:43:02.210-08:00the dreadful seattle trip! but it was GOODWell, I have been home for awhile but I am getting better from a dreadful flu that I came down with shortly after arriving in Seattle. My daughter and I were sick the whole time we were there and we had to stay a week longer to get better from ear infections before flying home. It was a really scary experience to be so sick when far from home. The irony is amazing. My mom was amazed. She said that she can't remember the last time we got sick, so it is so weird we would get sick on this vacation. And it's also terrible because I can't really afford to vacation, so I literally haven't been on a trip in years. So this was my one chance to have a real vacation and my daughter and I were dreadfully sick. Sometimes things happen like that. It feels very fated, or should I say cursed! But I know we were really OK. The saddest thing for me was losing my voice because I had brought some of my favorite hymns' lyrics with me. I knew I would not be able to go to church, probably (since my friend is not a Christian), and I wanted to have my Bible, my devotional, and my favorite hymns. But I couldn't sing since my throat hurt so bad I could hardly swallow. So I just read the Bible and wrote in my paper journal.<br /><br />The worst aspect was being afraid for my daughter. I didn't have a car up there and a lot of the time, I was left alone with my daughter all day. I didn't even have a phone since my friend uses her cell phone as her line. I had borrowed my mom's cell phone but since I was out of state, I couldn't use the phone or it would cost 75 cents per minute.<br /><br />I had nowhere to turn except to God. And it did feel like my whole life was whittled down to just me and God. I was quite a baby about it all. Yet God was speaking to me, and I was finally able to have that perfect opportunity to talk to my friend about God. You see, all week long, I was asking God what I could say to my friend. And all I could think of doing was to be as loving and kind as possible, every single minute. Even though I was hurting and scared and severely ill. I just kept washing baby bottles for her, and cooking food for her every day, and cleaning the apartment. I tried to be useful every single day, no matter how bad I felt or how much I wanted to collapse in to a ball of quivering flesh.<br /><br />Then on like the last day of the trip, when I was feeling like a useless failure for not finding any opportunity to talk to my friend about God, then suddenly my friend started asking me questions about Jesus and faith. And I just let it all shine forth. I answered each of her questions, and I made sure to explain why atonement with God is the most important matter in a human life. God is supremely wonderful...<br /><br />I have no idea if she will accept Christ. It appears not. But the important thing is that someone who loves her told her all about God and what she chooses to do with it is her responsibility. Some day, she is going to die. I just hope and pray that before that day comes, she makes the most important decision she can possibly make. By Grace, we are able to make that decision. I am so glad to see that God's Grace is at work in her life, because I saw that God was working in that situation, leading her and getting her curious about Himself.<br /><br />Now my latest issue is that I am super late on my period so I am worrying about being pregnant. I know that being ill can delay ovulation, therefore delaying the period. So that's probably all it is. But it's weird to be worried about yet another physical thing.<br /><br />Today, most everyone I know is sick. So I am staying home, feeling lonely. I have nothing to do and my hands don't feeling like knitting or crocheting or doing anything really. So I feel like a big lump, a very lonely lump. But I know that I just need to turn away from these thoughts of my self and think of better things. I'll probably finish the dishes and get something cooking for dinner. I love cooking. It always soothes me to prep ingredients and smell something good cooking.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-2603435107148090432008-10-02T21:18:00.000-07:002008-10-02T21:25:21.268-07:00Seattle here I come!I can't believe it but a friend of mine wants to see me so bad that she is willing to pay for me and my daughter to fly up to Seattle where she lives. I am so amazed! I'm going to pay for part of the fare, because it's hideously expensive. But I was so overwhelmed by her generosity. I haven't had a vacation in a million years.<br /><br />I'm trying to figure out if there is anything I want to do in Seattle. There really isn't! I can only say that there is one place I have been wanting to visit ever since I saw a t.v. program about it: <a href="http://www.zoo.org/">Woodland Park Zoo</a>. I saw this t.v. program that showed they have grizzly bears there. On their web site, they say they are "brown bears", and that the kodiak bear is one type of brown bear. so I'm not really sure what they have exactly. But I want to check it out. Other than that, I think we are planning to go see the local countryside. And we'll go see the first Starbucks and hopefully find someone nice enough to take our picture together without running off with my camera! But I really don't know of anything else I want to do in Seattle. I will definitely contact my cousin Ruth and see if she wants to drive down to the city and have lunch with us, or maybe she'd like to go to the Zoo or the aquarium with us. She has 2 daughters who I believe are teens now.<br /><br />Mainly I just want to see my friend who I haven't seen in 3 years. She has a baby now. I'd like to help her move in to her new place and also start eating healthier. We'll cook a lot of healthy food and pack some whole grain lunches. Maybe we will go get our hair done or something girly like that. It should be fun.<br /><br />I'm just grateful for the opportunity to see her. I think I need to go have a good cry. In a happy way!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-40149207995366828902008-09-30T23:04:00.000-07:002008-10-01T13:12:57.040-07:00October 1st To-Do ListIn No Particular Order, a To-Do List<br /><br />1. Clear off and clean desk<br />2. Clean off the top of the changing table<br />3. Assemble more KASSET boxes and think of what to put in them<br />4. Call and cancel WW monthly pass<br />5. Put all photos and photo albums in the new cabinets<br />6. Figure out how to store the purses and bags and totebags that make me insane!<br />7. Wash out the inside of the microwave and clean the glass plate.<br />8. Throw out chicken stock and wash potSusan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-55053438992334991902008-09-27T10:05:00.000-07:002008-09-27T10:21:58.081-07:00sunshine smiles on me this day...Exciting things are happening. I won last weeks <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Mary-Beth-Temple">Getting Loopy</a> contest! <a href="http://gettingloopy.com/">Getting Loopy</a> is an interactive online radio podcast all about crochet, by a crochet designer and all around expert in crochet, Mary Beth Temple. I listen every week now, although I don't have the free time on Monday nights to log in to the chat room while the radio show is happening live. That's where the real fun is, from what I hear. The listeners get to chat while listening to the podcast, and ask questions so Mary Beth can ask the guest. The prize I won was <a href="http://www.hookedforlifepublishing.com/">a free download of one of MB Temple's patterns </a>and some sock weight yarn to make the item. I chose <a href="http://hookedforlifepublishing.com/fieldofflowers.htm">the Field of Flowers scarf</a>! I'll make it for myself and nobody can take it away!<br /><br />I also won a contest on <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crochet-bouquet-along">ravelry's "Crochet Bouquet" group</a>. The author of "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Crochet-Bouquet-Designs-Dozens-Flowers/dp/1600591248/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1222535916&sr=8-1">Crochet Bouquet</a>", <a href="http://www.textilefusion.com/">Suzann Thompso</a>n, offered to send a bag of yarn scraps to the winner of a contest to come up with ideas for making stamens for flowers. I was the only person to offer an idea for the month of August, so I won by default. I thought that was very kind of her to be willing to still send me some yarn scraps. Her scraps are probably a hundred percent better than my full skeins. I look forward to seeing what comes!<br /><br />Ravelry has been a lot of fun. I didn't expect to win anything, but it sure is wonderful to see people who love their craft promoting it and having fun little contests.<br /><br />I also feel like I won because I found some used craft books for really cheap on Amazon. They should be arriving in the mail any day now! I'll wait to share that here. I'll have photographs of some of the best pages!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-20088406445945817692008-09-23T21:21:00.000-07:002008-09-23T21:34:42.064-07:00Excited about my brother's birthday!I just heard that my brother Chris has a fever so I am hoping that he'll get better before this Sunday and that the rest of the family won't fall ill too. I am totally jazzed about the birthday gifts I got for him. Since he doesn't know this blog exists, I feel pretty safe to talk about what I got him.<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Thunderbirds-40th-Anniversary-Collectors-Megaset/dp/B000P6R5T8/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222230563&sr=8-2">Thunderbirds 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition Megaset</a> (all of the episodes on 12 discs plus extras bonus features) (I'm happy to notice that I got it for $30 cheaper than it is currently listed as on Amazon!)<br />2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/King-Kong-Vs-Godzilla-Escapes/dp/B000BISBDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1222230607&sr=1-1">King Kong vs. Godzilla/King Kong Escapes</a> (2 <a href="http://www.tohokingdom.com/movie_list.htm">TOHO Japanese monster movies</a>, very campy but fun)<br />3. Some new shirts and a pair of pants (boring but necessary stuff)<br /><br />I'm not sure if they will locate the missing cake pans to make the batman cake. In that case, I might just bake something super chocolately and yummy. I'll do simple decorations in all choco frosting.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-80744975070749068712008-09-23T13:18:00.000-07:002008-09-23T13:25:40.940-07:00Christmas officially starts in October for me!I was writing a message on the frugal homemakers group (ravelry) and I got to thinking about something funny. I was talking about how wonderful my home is now, after 2 weeks of decluttering, organizing and cleaning. I am starting to get that wonderful feeling of looking forward to the holidays. And I remembered a funny episode from my life. Here is what I wrote (but I didn't actually post this there. I decided it would be better for my blog since it's personal):<br /><br />"I'll keep working and maybe I'll just decorate for Christmas early, like around Halloween. I did that a couple years ago, and then the apartment manager happened to stop by in the second week of November. She was laughing and remarked about how early I decorate for Christmas (since it was before Thanksgiving, and people traditionally start decorating _after_ Thanksgiving!). I didn't have the heart to tell her that I put up the decorations on Halloween! Because I was stuck home alone and feeling lonely as the only Christian I know that wasn't observing the evil holiday. (Kinda being facetious here, ok! Just a joke.)"<br /><br />I think I'll make this an annual tradition since we never have Thanksgiving dinner at my house. I suppose that if I were entertaining people in my home for Thanksgiving, I wouldn't want to spoil things for them by having the green and red stuff out. But I simply ADORE Christmastime. And I remember really enjoying getting in the spirit really early. I think I'll do that again since I always end up alone on Halloween. It seems like ever since I got married, my husband has always worked October 31st. I used to go over my parents' house. There is a chance I might actually do something this year since Halloween is on a Friday this year. I thought about maybe taking my daughter over to my brother and sister-in-law's house since they live in a really nice old fashioned neighborhood in Burbank where the kids still trick or treat. In fact, someone does a haunted house across the street, so I think things are pretty busy over there on Halloween night. But let's just put it this way: I'll have to invite myself! Which I am not shy about doing. But I just haven't gotten around to it yet. And a part of me says, no...just stay home and decorate for Christmas. Lonely little Christian lady...stay home and decks the halls...<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chmurka/2110680433/" title="&quot;Whaaaaat? It's Christmas time already?&quot; - Szarotka by pyza*, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2151/2110680433_5e29e0e6e1.jpg" width="500" height="452" alt="&quot;Whaaaaat? It's Christmas time already?&quot; - Szarotka" /></a>Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-70460123775201261272008-09-23T10:40:00.000-07:002008-09-23T10:44:24.338-07:00What do you think this is?<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/islandkerstin/133497374/" title="Iceland from above by Island_Kerstin, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/133497374_1606970aa5.jpg" alt="Iceland from above" width="400" height="265" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/little_frank/430672319/" title="Iceland from air - Wild landscape by little_frank, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/160/430672319_52d6cbcf3c.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Iceland from air - Wild landscape" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/annakaja/2337646325/" title="Aerial photo - Gullfoss, Iceland by Kaja Thrastar, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/2337646325_83c04ab63b.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Aerial photo - Gullfoss, Iceland" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Answer: Iceland. Isn't it fantastic? I have seen other equally intriguing aerial photographs of iceland. I wanted to post this because recently, on ravelry, someone added me to their friendslist and their name is a town in Iceland. It reminded me of some really amazing photographs I saw a few years back.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-66129106993180549932008-09-22T17:39:00.000-07:002008-09-22T17:46:48.075-07:00Chris' BirthdayMy brother is getting up there, but I'm still making him a batman cake for his birthday. Yeah, I know...sure he's over 40, but he's still a kid at heart.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/55794308@N00/435625602/" title="Super Hero Cake by doug911, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/154/435625602_e965cfb02a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Super Hero Cake" /></a><br /><br />I need to start planning this! The cake pans are lost in the garage somewhere. And I don't know if I have all the ingredients. I believe I do have all the dye, but maybe I need to buy some black gel dye.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-60319768472388071962008-09-18T01:49:00.000-07:002008-09-18T01:50:57.165-07:00Ikea UNG DRILL FrameI've decided that I have to have this frame<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/24549370@N07/2628012543/" title="ikea ung drill fram by etello, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3098/2628012543_07a54d2867.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="ikea ung drill fram" /></a><br />to put some of my poppies and leaves in it<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/2800367821/" title="firstpoppy by susanlikesrats, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2800367821_36b1e8ae34.jpg" width="500" height="481" alt="firstpoppy" /></a>Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-40997208903483634792008-09-15T14:56:00.000-07:002008-09-15T15:01:47.719-07:00starting your own small businessI've been wanting to start my own small business for a long time. But I am a little scared because I don't want to have to keep track of money and stuff like that. I guess I'd rather just be a hippy about it, and sell things for cash and just pocket the money. But I need to be legal and if I am making over a certain amount of money, I know I have to declare it for tax reasons. So I guess I'm going to keep it in prayer and just start keeping my eyes peeled for the information about how to have a small business out of the home. I want to sell my hand made items, whether that be crochet, knit, soap, greeting cards, children's toys, etc. I guess I would also like to sell my cake decorations, such as my royal icing flowers (and hopefully I will teach myself to make gumpaste flowers too!)<br /><br />I have a couple of ideas for a name. I think that to get started, I need a storefront type website with pay pal, and also I need to get a rubber stamp made with my store's name and/or logo. Then I might like to have a P.O. box too.<br /><br />I wonder what I would need to do to get started? Would I be able to do this small scale at first without any insurance or would I have to get insurance? I met a girl at a Wilton cake class who had a cookie business and she bought insurance for like $300 a year. It's just a protective measure in case someone sues you.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-14271310605385627962008-09-12T09:05:00.000-07:002008-09-12T09:57:09.493-07:00International Crochet Day (9-12) BraceletI wrote my first pattern for an "International Crochet Day Bracelet"!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/2851280814/" title="International Crochet Day Bracelet (3) by susanlikesrats, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2851280814_fd835de7fe.jpg" alt="International Crochet Day Bracelet (3)" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/2851280840/" title="International Crochet Day Bracelet (2) by susanlikesrats, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3085/2851280840_03133d6a49.jpg" alt="International Crochet Day Bracelet (2)" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/2851280888/" title="International Crochet Day Bracelet (1) by susanlikesrats, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3057/2851280888_bb4598e81c.jpg" alt="International Crochet Day Bracelet (1)" width="500" height="375" /></a><br /><br />Pattern for free (you can even use this to make items to sell at craft fairs!)<br /><br />First of all, I apologize for how poorly written the pattern is. I have never written a pattern before! It's such a simple little pattern that I am assuming that you will be able to do it. If you are a total beginner, don't worry if this sounds wonky. It is and I'll hopefully rewrite it later today after I have thought about it more.<br /><br />Gauge is not important. Use any yarn or thread you want, and the appropriate hook for your choice of yarn/thread. Actually, use one size larger hook to make the starting chain. Then switch to your proper hook size.<br /><br />Chain a length that will fit a little loosely around your wrist. Add 5 chains.<br /><br />Rnd 1: Crochet into fifth chain from the hook. (You are creating a chain 4 that stands for the first double crochet, plus adding a chain for the first eyelet space). *double crochet in next stitch, chain one*. Do that across until you read the final stitch that you can double crochet in. If you end up with an extra stitch, don't worry about it. You can either unpick it. Or you will just cover over it when you edge the bracelet (this will make sense when you get to the end of your chain!)<br /><br />Rnd 2. Turn, slip stitch in chain 1 space. Slip stitch in to first double crochet. Make a chain 3 picot [A chain 3 picot is this: chain 3, slip stitch in third chain from hook.] *Slip stitch in next chain 1 space, slip stitch in next dc, make a chain 3 picot* Do this across until you reach the second to last double crochet. Then do the following: slip stitch in dc, slip stitch in chain space following it. Then do 4 double crochets on the side of the bracelet (you are at the side, or should be. You are just working around the side to get to the underside of the bracelet, then you'll work more picots on that edge). When you finish the underside the same way you did the first side, then you'll nearly be done. At that point, you do the same thing in the second to last double crochet: you slip stitch in to it, then slip stitch in to the last chain 1 space, then single crochet four times in that space. Join to the first stitch. Cut yarn and weave in ends.<br /><br />Weave a ribbon or perhaps a crocheted length of chains through the eyelets. Tie on your wrist and show it with pride! Happy International Crochet Day!<br /><br />p.s. Here is <a href="http://humblethreads.blogspot.com/2008/09/international-crochet-day.html">my original post about "International Crochet Day"</a><br /><br />p.s. p.s. If you would like to learn to crochet, here are some <a href="http://www.nexstitch.com/Tutorials.html">crochet video tutorials</a>! Feel free to ask me if you need some help!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-78356999869703694582008-09-11T16:37:00.000-07:002008-09-11T16:44:37.945-07:00Why today is a good day1. I woke up feeling great, like I got a sound night's sleep.<br />2. I don't have a pain in my shoulder anymore (I think I got it from an overly goofy joyous aroebics exercise session the other day!)<br />3. I ate awesome healthy whole foods: chicken with a homemade teriyaki sauce, sweet potatoes (plain!), and green beans. I snacked on fat free popcorn and diet soda which have been my main indulgences. Oh, and some ff/sf pudding.<br />4. My daughter has been in a great mood. Yesterday she whined a lot for some reason. But she got a great night's sleep and now all I hear is giggling and babbling.<br />5. I got some great emails from an old friend! Pics!<br />6. My husband gave me some "big hugs" and my daughter squirmed her way in the middle so we had a whole family hug before he left for work.<br />7. I'm actually tackling some <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/sets/72157607233661916/">monumental foolishness</a> in my kitchen (I think I heard <a href="http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/cleanhouse/index.jsp">Neicy</a> say that in my head!) I created a challenge on a forum that I moderate. So I am feeling a little more optimistic that I can tackle this.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-19832400923886652742008-09-10T12:55:00.000-07:002008-09-10T12:58:24.182-07:00Sept. Mumsy Crochet Along from "Crochet Bouquet"<a href="http://www.textilefusion.com/bookblog/?p=51" title="mumsycal"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/2845864915_060376472f_o.gif" width="135" height="97" alt="mumsycal" /></a><br /><br />I haven't started my mumsy yet! I tried starting it once and I got really OCD about it, so I had to quit. ;-) There are a zillion repeats in this flower. But it is really cute when you're done!Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-9257996833317616762008-09-10T12:52:00.000-07:002008-09-10T12:55:18.247-07:00Poppy Crochet Along in August 2008<a href="http://www.textilefusion.com/bookblog/?p=25" title="poppycalbutton"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2845864981_053c2aa264_o.gif" width="135" height="113" alt="poppycalbutton" /></a><br /><br />I made 2 poppies! Here is the first one I made:<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/28687480@N02/2800367821/" title="firstpoppy by susanlikesrats, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2800367821_36b1e8ae34_m.jpg" width="240" height="231" alt="firstpoppy" /></a>Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-84825773442913147442008-09-10T09:48:00.001-07:002008-09-10T09:48:15.951-07:00embroidery book by nora hana 1975 amsterdam<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/2535633775/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2116/2535633775_e9b50ea051_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/2535633775/">embroidery book by nora hana 1975 amsterdam</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/superminx/">superminx</a></span></div>Maybe it is actually embroidery. Here's the book they are from, I think!<br clear="all" />Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-13177734086481767002008-09-10T09:47:00.001-07:002008-09-10T09:47:15.493-07:00embroidery book by nora hana 1975 amsterdam<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/2536450534/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2263/2536450534_174d49ca49_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/2536450534/">embroidery book by nora hana 1975 amsterdam</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/superminx/">superminx</a></span></div>Here's another example of the embroidery on fabric which looks a bit like crochet slip stitches.<br clear="all" />Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-26586738038085566462008-09-10T09:25:00.001-07:002008-09-10T09:25:42.621-07:00Embroidered Table Runners<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/399448940/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/182/399448940_f8487f10d9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/superminx/399448940/">Embroidered Table Runners</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/superminx/">superminx</a></span></div>I think this is amazing. I just wanted to remember it as I am trying to figure out if it was done with crochet. It looks like surface stitches of slip stitch.<br clear="all" />Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-20927291707711859262008-09-09T13:28:00.000-07:002008-09-09T13:32:55.957-07:00I'm serious! I'm going to make a big change!!!Yesterday I was convicted of my utter lack of discipline and organization in the home. I think that I am a great wife and mother because I sincerely care about my family's needs. But I always feel like I am scrambling to do what I need to do because I am disorganized and undisciplined. Here's the low down:<br /><br />1. Too much clutter: makes it hard to get tasks accomplished fast.<br />2. Too much clutter: can't find things when I need them.<br />3. Lack of planning: leads to last minute decision making and trying to figure out how to get it done (time waster)<br />4. Lack of routines: I just suck at that!<br /><br />So I'm praying about this today, and I am going to dedicate time to tearing it all apart and putting it back together again. I need to come up with some plans (meal plans, routines for the day, etc.) I also need to just roll up my sleeves and tackle some clutter.<br /><br />Pray for me! This is something that really makes me feel "ICKY" when I face the issues.Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-19312203258570035892008-09-08T15:41:00.000-07:002008-09-08T15:51:30.161-07:00International Crochet Day<p>REMEMBER the 12th of Sept. this year is "International Crochet Day"! </p> <p>To celebrate the day try one of the following:</p> <p>~Crochet in public<br />~Teach someone to crochet<br />~promote International Crochet day in your blog<br />~wear something crocheted made/bought with pride</p><p>I found that information on the internet. I would like to add something to this. If you are going to buy crocheted items, always buy from someone who actually made the item. Most people don't know this but unlike knitting, crochet can not be done on machine. So when you buy inexpensive crocheted items from stores like Target or Walmart, please know that those things were made by some poor person in a poor country, and they were paid pennies for their work. It's not very nice. I actually get sad when I see a beautiful crocheted bag or hat in the store and it has a price tag of $2.99!</p><p>So let's raise awareness and do it in a way that honors crochet as a wonderful craft that must be made by human hands!!!<br /></p>Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3272623801385454908.post-17285085172380240522008-09-07T19:22:00.000-07:002008-09-07T19:25:00.926-07:00really angry cat photographI thought this was really funny. If you visit<a href="http://stitchymcyarnpants.com/moks06/?p=74"> this web site </a>(and laugh, chortle, then scroll down the 80's knits photographs), you will see a picture of a cat who has been encased in a knitted sarcophagus (for lack of better term!!)Susan K. in Californiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10441197459257552966noreply@blogger.com0