Life may not be a party, but while we're here we may as well dance!

A Good-Bye To A Faithful Friend

For those that are animal lovers, you know that the loss of a pet is a horrible tragedy. Lacey was a part of our family for many years. She played dress-up with my kids when they were little, frisbee with Bill and had to chance to eat ice cream almost every night of her life. A couple of years ago, she lost her hearing, her sight was going, she had been wearing baby diapers for a few months. This week her kidneys began to fail. We will miss her!

The Rainbow Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth.
It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge, there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass. When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water, and warm Spring weather. Those old and frail animals are
young again. Those who have been maimed are made whole again. They play all day with each other.

But there is only one thing missing. They are not with their special person who loved them on earth.

So, each day they run and play until the day comes when one suddenly stops playing and looks up. The nose twitches, the ears are up, the eyes are staring, and this one suddenly runs from the group.
You have been seen, and when you and your special friend meet, you take him or her in your arms and embrace. Your face is kissed again and again and again and you look once more into the eyes of your trusting pet.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.

Rosemary Mint Soap

There is such a big difference between good old fashioned lye soap and store bought soap.. it is totally amazing! I started making our own several years ago, after discovering that commercial soaps contain known carcinogens. After a few trial and tribulation batches of the cold-process method, my family was satisfied with my "recipe" and have continued to use it since. Eventually, I was making so much that I started selling at craft fairs~but alas, the business was growing quicker that I could commit to... So for now at least, my soaps go to family and friends!

This is the latest batch... I rarely use any colorings, but do so love fragranced soaps, that part is a must. This is my hubbies favorite~a nice rosemary-mint, a great wake me in the morning. The fragrance is from Sweetcakes, who carries the absolute best fragrances I have found!

Only In WV.....

Prosecutors Drop Charge Related to "Passing Gas" in DUI Case

Thought For The Day

"It does not mean that people cease to be Christians when they hate, but they cease to act like Christians. They are no longer living like the Christians that they have become. Eternal life is no longer abiding in them, and they have slipped back into the control of the devil. It is not that love is not available to them but that it does not abide in them. If we hate someone, we have become the temporary slave of Satan. We are God's child doing the devil's work, and we need to face it on that level." ~Unknown

Colins Sock KAL

I feel horrible. I started this pair of socks absolutely forever ago when this awesome sockknitter posted "his" pattern on his website. Colins socks are absolutely gorgeous and he has become my sock guru... oh to get mine to be as attractive as his... I am so envious. After starting these, he started a yahoo group KAL and I quietly lurked trying to gain as much info from him as I could. Many have finished their socks and learned how to get a true fitting sock without using a pattern.

Now, I have to say I was able to use his pattern pretty closely as our feet are about the same size. My only problem is a wee little bit of tightness in the arch, which I can adjust next time by starting the gussett just a bit sooner. The toes are gorgeous (I do have a bit of the "ear" problem, which I learned what was wrong thanks to the KAL) and the heel is a breeze.

All I can say is~Thank You Colin!



These were done on size O needles, my standard one at a time on 2 needles. The Yarn is from Elann Sock It To Me! Collection in Harlequin. I loved the yarn, loved the pattern and will probably make my socks like this for a long time to come. Gauge is 9.5 spi and 13 rpi. Wish I were a faster knitter...

Alaskan Adventure

What a great surprise our trip to Alaska was! For those that need more time in a day, the daylight was great... I seemed to have so much more energy, and sleeping was definitely not a problem.

We went to visit our son Lucas, whom is stationed in Anchorage, and his girlfriend Erin. Everyday was a new adventure, with a day trip to surrounding areas. We saw mountain goats, moose, a black bear and cub... we panned for gold, walked on a glacier, traveled Hatchers Pass, Independence Mine, Elmendorf Air Force Base, the Saturday Market, Seward, Palmer, Wassilla, dinner at the Double Musky Inn and on and on. They definitely showed us the area.

I honestly did not think that I would like Alaska. Am not your real outdoorsy type, no fishing, hunting, camping for me, but the scenery alone is well worth a visit. I absolutely loved Seward, it is a very artsy community which is right up my alley.

Speaking of artsy, I had to bring back a little something for me. In Seward, we visited a small but very well supplied yarn shop called A Flyin' Skein. There I purchased a small ball of Qiviut, made from Musk Ox by Windy Valley Muskox and a skein of sock yarn dyed by an Anchorage woman Rabbit Ridge Designs. I had to purchase another skein of sock yarn at the Saturday Market in Anchorage, where The Felted Sheep had a booth and was spinning her yarn. Also picked up the book Artic Lace, which is just grand!!


Anyone that gets a chance needs to visit Alaska at least once in their life! I will add more pictures later!