Nancy's Nook

Here is the progress on my dad's sweater. The back is done and I am working on the front. I have decided to put a stripe of some color on the front! Can't wait to get to that point!


So, obviously, the hat work has slowed down. Here is what I have on the needles as of this morning. I hope to get the pink one finished today so that tomorrow's dr. appt. will start out with a fresh hat!! As you can see, I have 3 ready to go. I try to have them cast on and the ribbing done so that I can 'just knit' to, from and at dr. appt.


And here is the one hat that I have finished as of this morning! This is the first one I've worked with the new donation from Brown Sheep. It is fabulous! Great yarn to work with and the finished hat is wonderful! Should be so soft and warm! I think there will be some very happy, cuddley heads this winter!


Look what I found in the garden yesterday evening!! Yummy! (of course, they weren't in the bowl when I found them!!!) Guess I will have to make some shortbread today!! Maybe Honey will get some ice cream!!


Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.
Ps. 55:22

Yesterday I got to expereince something new!! I met an old friend!! We have e-mailed regularly for nearly 2 yrs and we finally got to meet face-to-face yesterday! What a wonderful day it was! THANKS, AMY!!

Here is an update on my Atlantic Giant Pumpkin! Suppose to be able to grow a #500 pumpkin. This is the third year attempt. (you know that saying, 'Third time's a charm'?!) Out of 13 seeds, this is what I have!! We will see.

So many flowers have opened up in the just the last 2 days!




Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Heb. 10:22

Ok, well yesterday morning I went out to get some weeding done in the flower beds. That didn't work out very well!! Every time I bent down to pull some weeds, something would catch my eye and I would have to take pictures! Then, of course, I just couldn't disturb anyone, so I'd have to move on to another area. I didn't get much done. But, oh the fun things I saw!





...because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Heb. 10:14

Not much to say this morning. But I just wanted to get some pictures posted! These are from the last two days. (Got a little behind here.) I've already been out filling up my memory card this morning! Will get to those later. It is RACE DAY! (aka: KNIT DAY!!!)








How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!. Heb 9:14

Every year I am more and more enjoying iris's. At one time I thought they only came in light purple. But now I know the color varieties are nearly endless! These peach colored ones are at my parents place. They are among some of my favorite. And of course, bright yellow always gets my attention!


We had some nasty storms roll through the area yesterday evening. Some of the storm clouds were totally amazing!


And look what the storm brought! My last fuzzy catepiller hatched!! Isn't he beautiful!!


Even the weakest saint can expereince the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to "let go". But any effort to "hang on" to the least bit of our own power will only diminish the life of Jesus in us. (O. Chambers)

Went to my daughter's place yesterday. There are several families of geese living across the street from her. Of course, I had to go check them out! Those little ones are just so cute!!

Here is one of my poppy's just popping out! (I thought it was going to be red!!)

And here is the progress on the sweater. I did get started on the armholes last night. We have been extra busy so it seems like the progress is going very slow. But I think I should be able to get quite a bit done this weekend.

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Do everything in love. 1 Cor. 13-14

Again, not too much going on.
Recently finished hats.

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Heb. 3:1

Not much to show you all today. I did manage to get out and snap a couple of iris pictures yesterday afternoon. They are just getting started. I love to photograph iris, so there will probably be lots more of them in the days to come!



Knitting: I did work on a hat yesterday. I'll get it finished today and post a pic. And I did work on the sweater for a bit. Progess on that is going slower than expected the last few days.

Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family.
Heb. 2:11

Went to a car show today over at the river. Great day for a car show! Lots of bright sunshine and blue skies to show off the fabulous paint jobs!!

One knit hat and one loomed hat.

After all of the rainy days, cloudy skies, and cool temps, yesterday was an absolutely gorgous day! So me and the camera got out for a while to see what the rains brought! Spring things popping everywhere! Lots of color going on! I don't know the names of all of these. But I sure enjoy them all!




Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, thought the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
Habakkuk 3:17-18

My dad is having some health issues right now. So he has had to slow down this last month or so. My mom says that he gets chilly. So I decided that I would like to knit him something useful. First, I found this marvelous pattern! I will make it large enough that it will be easy for him to get on and off. I was thinking of doing it in shades of brown. But then, one of our local chain stores had RedHeart yarn on sale. We were standing in the aisle looking at all of the different colors and this multi-color gray just 'spoke' to me!! And Hubby agreed! So gray it is!

Came home last night, and after what seemed like an eternity, finally got the gage that I needed and got a good start on it!

This coming week will be quite alot of time sitting in waiting rooms with my mom while my dad has tests and such so I don't know how much I will be able to get done. I want this to be a surprise, so I will work on hats while I'm there. This sweater will just be a 'work-at-home' project.


..the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time. 2 Tim. 1:9

Yesterday was such a crazy weather day!! We had bright, beautiful sunshine, then within minutes we had rain, sleet, hail. Then it would start all over again! I have never seen it hail that many different times in one day before! The nice weather man was just telling me that as of yesterday we had had 10 consecutive days of measureable rainfall! With more predicted for today!


The big brown truck stopped at my house yesterday with another generous yarn donation. THANK YOU, BROWN SHEEP!!!
This will make sooooo many warm and wonderful hats!!

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, decieved and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. Titus 3:3-4

More hatchings! I got to watch this one! Amazing! We had some sunshine yesterday! Even the frogs were enjoying it!

Toad with attitude!!

And hats done on the loom.

GOD, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapporachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Tim. 6:15-16

We saw a peak of sunshine yesterday! The clouds parted, briefly!
So I got out for a quick walk around the garden yesterday afternoon.
Did this peach and white hat yesterday. Waiting room sitting. And finished the green stripes last night.

Dark times are allowed and come to us through the sovereignty of God. Until Jesus Christ is truly our Lord, we each have goals of our own which we serve. Our faith is real, but it is not yet permanent. God is never in a hurry. If we are willing to wait, we will see God pointing out that we have been intersted only in His blessings, instead of in God Himself. (O. Chambers)

My first Black Swallowtail hatched this morning!! Isn't he beautiful!! We even had a very lovely photo shoot before I sent him on his way!

Hubby and I have several reasons to celebrate in the month of May. So my kids got together and had us over for a cookout on Saturday to celebrate all the special days this month! It was fabulous! THANKS, KIDS!!
My son cooked.
And my daughter bought flowers.

It was another rain day yesterday so I was able to finish up these two hats.


After we have the perfect relationship with God, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, our faith must be exercised in the realities of everyday life. Until we have been through that expereince, our faith is sustained only by feelings and by blessings. But once we get there, no matter where God may place us or what inner emptiness we expereince, we can praise God that all is well. (Oswald Chambers)

The rain is still with us! I did wander around outside for a few minutes this morning with my morning coffee. Guess what I saw?! RAIN DROPS!!! everywhere!!



I gathered up most of my smaller scraps yesterday and got them tyed together. I am considering knitting up a scarf/shawl/wrap. Something fun with fringe.


And I did manage to get one hat finished up while watching the race last night.


This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 1 Tim. 4:9-10

Well, as you can see, another cloudy, rainy, chilly day here. I took this picture yesterday on our way home from town. These are 2 of the 4 wind turbines at the Wood. Co. landfill. Something about them just fascinates me! I love going that way home and seeing them.

Not much else going on, so I thought I'd give you a quick glimpse at 'my knitting corner'! And my current projects. Of course, it changes by the minute. At this very moment, I have one hat started on the green KK loom and one on the red KK loom. On the needles I have one hat on size 8's in purples, one on size 8's in grays, and two on size 6's: one in oranges and one in a pale green with tangerine. I have one in waiting to be done on 10's in Lion Brand Homespun. All of the yarn is donated, so for the most part I can't tell you what the yarn is that I am working with. Most of my yarn donations are from people who have started projects, removed labels and are just passing along thier 'leftovers'. Which is just fabulous for me because it gives me the excuse to play with lots of color!! My dad is going through some serious health issues right now so I am just knitting plain, basic hat pattern. Nothing fancy. Simple 2X2 ribbing, st stitch until the peice measures about 8 inches, decrease over 5 rows, stitch up the back. I have to keep things cast on and ready to go for long waiting room visits. However, I am already thinking I need something just a bit more challenging to be working on here at home! But that is still in the thinking process!

And here are my latest.

With another crappy weather day in store, looks like another 'knit day' for me!! YEAH!!


Think of the last think you prayed about-were you devoted to your desire or to God? Was your determination to get some gift of the Spirit for yourself or to get the God? "For you Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" (Matt 6:8) The reason for asking is so you may get to know God better. "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. (Ps. 37:4). We should keep praying to get a perfect understanding of God Himself. (O. Chambers)

Here is a perfect example of the weather we are expected to have for the next 5 days! I took this picture yesterday. Yuk. Oh well, it will give me plenty of knit time!!


My dad found this bird egg in his strawberry patch. We don't know what kind it is or why it was there. And here is one of my mom's iris's. A beautiful white one. Any flower pictures that I take for the next week will likely have raindrops!!


Knitted hats. Using up a few scraps.


If you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. (Oswald Chambers)

Here is a perfect example of the weather we are expected to have for the next 5 days! I took this picture yesterday. Yuk. Oh well, it will give me plenty of knit time!!


My dad found this bird egg in his strawberry patch. We don't know what kind it is or why it was there. And here is one of my mom's iris's. A beautiful white one. Any flower pictures that I take for the next week will likely have raindrops!!


Knitted hats. Using up a few scraps.


If you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. (Oswald Chambers)

Here is a perfect example of the weather we are expected to have for the next 5 days! I took this picture yesterday. Yuk. Oh well, it will give me plenty of knit time!!


My dad found this bird egg in his strawberry patch. We don't know what kind it is or why it was there. And here is one of my mom's iris's. A beautiful white one. Any flower pictures that I take for the next week will likely have raindrops!!


Knitted hats. Using up a few scraps.


If you are living the life of faith you will exercise your right to waive your rights, and let God make your choice for you. Whenever our right becomes the guiding factor of our lives, it dulls our spiritual insight. (Oswald Chambers)

I spent some time yesterday with another freshly hatched praying mantis coccoon. The breeze was blowing so getting a good picture was challenging! And then, those babies move really fast!! They are hard to capture!! There were 100's of babies in this coccoon. The entire bush looked like it was alive!!


The first Columbine bloomed yesterday. And a blue flax.


Hats done on the KK looms.



The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him. Ps. 37: 39-40

Baby pine cones on the pine tree. And baby grasshoppers!


Our sunrise this morning. It sounds like we will be seeing very little of the sun the next few days, so I had to enjoy this breif siting!!

more about FAITH:
Faith is not intellectual understanding; faith is a deliberate commitment to the Person of Jesus Christ, even when I can't see the way ahead. (O. Chambers)
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Heb. 12:2

The praying mantis coccoons are hatching! We have babies everywhere!



While I was checking out a freshly hatched bunched of praying mantis, I found this lepard frog! Just sitting there watching me! He was very cooperative while I took about 20 pictures of him!

We stopped by a garden center yesterday afternoon and they had some of the most beautiful pansies! I just whipped out my camera and started shooting!

And more hats. The one on the left is done on the KK green loom, the middle one is knitted, and the pink is done on the red KK loom. Both loomed ones are using the chunky braid stitch.

The Lord is faithful, and He will strengthed and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thes. 3:3

Stepped out our back door with the camera yesterday afternoon. Oh it was so wonderful to see so many little critters!! LOL! Everything is in miniature! They will all grow up as the season progresses!


Even the kitty went for a stroll around the yard with us!
A Black Swallowtail was checking out the new dill shoots.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certian of what we do not see. Heb. 11:1
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Heb. 11:3
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exits and that He rewards those who earnstly seek Him. Heb. 11:6

First, I need to share this picture of a train! Went for a walk with my daughter and her friend on Friday along the tracks across from our house. This is the first time in a very long time that we have been this close to a train! It was pretty cool!
Our very first iris of the season. Opened up this morning. These are some of my favorite! I just love the color! Reminds me of a tie-dyed t-shirt!! Of course, there will be more pictures as the season goes along!

And, now that the silly blanket is done, I really need to get busy on hats again! I will feel like I am playing catch up with them, at least for a few days.

FAITH
A subject that has been on my heart the last few days.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Eph. 2:8)
It is no longer a faith in faith, but a faith that transcends all imaginable limits-a faith that comes only from the Son of God. (Oswald Chambers)

The baby blanket that somehow ended up large enough for a toddler is finally finished!!

One of my cocoons hatched!! Here is what came out!! Isn't he just so beautiful!! Looks so cuddly!! Of course, I let him go. After a photo op session, I gently placed him on a large, well hidden leaf in the shade.

Here is one of the many frogs that we have living in our pond.

Living a life of faith means never knowing where you are being led. But it does mean loving and knowing the one who is leading. It is literally a life of faith, not of understanding and reason. -Oswald Chambers

Yesterday was a nearly perfect day!! Oh what a blessing! Great weather, played in the yard and garden with my Honey, spent some time with my kids!!


Here are some baby pine cones! Aren't they cute! Looks like the tree is decorated for Christmas! Even the lady bugs were out enjoying the sunshine!


Went mushroom hunting with my kids yesterday evening. David found this nest of bird eggs. And Joe found these mushrooms. I picked up some beautiful rocks! Christina didn't find anything!


Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Ps. 37:4
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Ps. 37:7
Wait for the Lord and keep His way. Ps. 37:34

We were down nearly 2 inches on rain! Not a real great way to start the spring. But we had an absolutely blessed all day rain yesterday! It was fabulous! Great for all the growing things, and wonderful for me! I got a full day of knitting it!!
This train stopped on the tracks across from the house yesterday morning. Aren't they so cute! Big boy toys!
These hats were done on the KK green loom. Using the chunky braid stitch. I've been interupting my knitting on the 'never-ending' blanket to make a few of these.


Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands. 1 Thes. 4:11

Ok, I haven't actually typed here much lately. Lots on my mind. Life has 'stepped up' in intensity. But I am adjusting. Getting back in gear.
As you saw yesterday, I am still working on that silly baby blanket that is now large enough for a toddler! God definitely has a plan for this thing! I would certianly never be still working on in on my own!!
Today I will be working on that again and getting some hats done on the loom. But in the meantime, I thought I'd take this opportunity to share some of my other interests that I have going on!

Here I have some cocoons that I collected last fall and wintered over. I have some of those small green catepillers that you find on cabbage plants. I have 2 Black Swallowtails. And 2 fuzzy catepillers. I can't wait to see what they all become!
I have been on an avocado eating kick lately. And I just hate to throw things away! So I am trying to grow some! So far, I have 6 seeds splitting and cracking!

About 2 months ago I planted some tree seeds from all over that I had been collecting. So far, the only thing to come up is some pine trees from MI. And yesterday I noticed a very small sprout from a seed I picked up in the parking lot over at the river!!



Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thes. 5:16-18

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will recieve an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Col. 3:24