Learning to Crochet

Test run 

I don't know what came over me, but when someone got me a gift certificate for Barnes and Noble for my birthday, I found myself straying into the arts and crafts section.  My attention was drawn to books on How To Crochet, and little packets of brightly colored yarn.  As my house is full of books, and imminently in danger of being granted library status, I thought maybe I'd get the essentials to begin crocheting instead.

Well, okay, that also involved buying the How To Crochet for Absolute Beginners book, but in my defense it was small and the bulk of the gift cert went to the crochet hooks and yarn... you get the idea.

My first adventures in crochet

I began the adventure carefully, and found it is relaxing and fun!

Then, on Saturday, my dear friend Cheryl - who is a real crocheting pro - volunteered her time and talents for a few hours to teach me a quick stitch and get me started on a blanket project:

Blanket in progress!

I had such a good time visiting with Cheryl, and her help was invaluable in achieving my crocheting goal of making a blanket!  I got quite a bit done over the weekend!

And, did I mention it was a lot of fun?  Thank you, Cheryl!  You are the best!

I love this!
I'm not sure where the photo came from, but a friend posted it on Facebook.

Have you stretched your limits, or tried a new hobby lately?

Light the Candles

My beautiful Sister-In-Law, Kirsti

The Advent Season marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Scandinavia.  Personally, I always forget to light the candles, but my brother's family observes this every year.

The first Sunday of Advent was the 30th of November.  On the first Sunday of Advent, one candle is lighted. Yesterday marked the 2nd Sunday of Advent, so two candles have been lighted and allowed to burn through dinner.  This continues through Christmas. Advent is a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, and to prepare for Christmas.  Most Advent traditions in America come from Northern Europe.

Kirsti, Christian and Jay

Yesterday also marked the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  If you missed this beautiful hour-long Christmas event, you can still enjoy it. 

Visit https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng

President Thomas S. Monson, flanked by his counselors, President Eyring and President Uchtdorf

This is the most wonderful time of the year!

Living the Good Life

Jack loves to hide in my tote bags

If I bring home a tote bag, I know what will happen...

It is good to be an only child.... er... I mean, cat

Jack has to appropriate any tote bags that come into our house.  It's the law.

We're enjoying our December so far.  Jack is anxiously awaiting Santa!

Jack is living the good life in California!

Have a terrific weekend, Everyone!

Rain, Rain, and More Rain!

Looking southeast out over Monterey Park

We finally got some rain here in the Los Angeles area!  Real, steady, soaking rain!  I'm so very happy I can hardly contain myself!

Looking across the hill to the office building next door

It started on Tuesday.  It rained steadily and lightly all day, all Tuesday night and into Wednesday.

This verdant hill is home to lots of little critters of all kinds

And just when we thought it was going to be tapering off... it just poured yesterday (Wednesday) evening as well. I was driving home in it - very carefully, I might add - and it was coming down in buckets!

My office building sits on a hill, so I took these shots of the area around us through the office windows. It was such a beautiful sight to see everything rainwashed.  That hasn't happened in a long, long time.

A layer of foggy moisture envelops the valley below us

Last February the Latter-day Saints all over California held a Fast and prayed for the end to the three-year drought. I know others have been praying for rain, and an end to the drought, too. I can only hope this soaking rain marks the beginning of an end to our on-going drought situation in answer to those prayers.

This morning the weather man on TV said because of this soaking storm the last two days we've already greatly exceeded our normal rainfall amounts for this time of year.  What terrific news.

Keep praying!

On the Way to Work

I was surprised to see the backseat passengers!

This totally cracked me up on Monday morning...

Little Minions were waving at me

I just had to share.  Have a terrific day!

Decorating the Office

Happy Thanksgiving was the message here, looking into my office

My office has a large window in it, overlooking the area where the engineers' cubicles reside.  I try to decorate for the various holidays throughout the year, just for fun.  This year for the month of November, I left some of the Halloween pumpkins up and added a few Thanksgiving-y touches.

Our little Native Americans

I'm sorry there is so much glare in these photos!  It couldn't be helped, I suppose.  There are lots of lights in the main part of the office to make the glare inevitable.

One of Carmen's daughters colored in our Turkey

For this window, I printed out several pages to color, and handed the pages out to people in the office who have children.  The result was a colorful blend of styles that I enjoyed very much.

Barbara's son Noah did this Turkey

I enjoy brightening up the office a bit.  It was fun to get the kids involved this time.

Hope you are having a good week!

Thanksgiving

Beautiful centerpiece

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday.  I sure did.

Beautiful table

My neighbor invited me over for a truly lovely meal.

Yummy Turkey and Dressing!

There was turkey, stuffing and all the yummy sides!  

A little visitor named Pumpkin

There was even a little doggy named Pumpkin who came to visit.  She is a rescue, a senior citizen, and a very sweet little doggy who lives up in the San Francisco Bay area with her human.

Lovely meal with all the fixin's

I have so many things to be thankful for!  Good friends, who just happen to be excellent cooks, are at the top of the list!

Hope you had a fun Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving weekend, too!