Wedding Song - God Knew That I Needed You

Saturday, February 13, 2021

HEAVY

The snowfall continues.

I woke up around 4:30 AM this morning, thinking the rainfall last night would melt the snow into a disappearing frozen icy mass.

Instead, several more inches of snow had accumulated through the night – heavy with moisture, and crusted with an icy sheen.

It didn’t look so pretty to me anymore: it appeared intimidating.

I don’t plan on going anywhere until it melts away (I have enough provisions tucked away); but I am concerned about the carports in the Park … and the skylights above my head.

The snow is heavy.

And the flakes are pretty good sized.

I am a snowbaby: I hail from snow country.

WA’s lowland environment IS NOT snow country. The structures in the lowlands – regardless of Mobile Home Parks or stick-n-mortar structures are not built for heavy snowfall. 

Accumulated frozen snow  on my neighbors' rooftops, appear to be at least 6-inches. 4:59 AM
Frosted Bird House-Feeder. heavy with icy snow accumulation. 5:01 AM
Snow depth 5.3-4 inches by carport; crusty icy topcoat. 5:04 AM

It’s a rare occurrence; this is a rainforest environment … heavy snow is for the mountainous regions; heavy rainfall is for the lowlands.

And though I really do like snow, I don’t like it here; where there is really no expectation or preparations for it.

It’s a rare occurrence. 

It is heavy.

And a real potential hazard in more ways than one.

We had 18 inches of snow on Sparks Drive, in 2014. The Spring of 2014, Bob had built me four 4’x6’ garden boxes & two 2’x6’ garden boxes/ALL of them 18” tall, at my request. The snowfall that winter, buried the boxes 18” deep, with the same amount topping them like frozen whipped cream topping.

And it buried my KIA’s wheels to the bumpers, topping it also like the garden boxes in the back yard.

2014 – Garden boxes on Sparks Drive. 18 inches snowfall in 2 days’ time.
My KIA on Sparks Drive. 18 inches snowfall.

This snowstorm is nowhere near that one, but it is more treacherous: circumstances and situations have changed in 7 years’ time.

I broke my FB hiatus to check on my granddaughter’s snow report; and to check local updates. There was no news on my granddaughter’s Page – but there were local updates:

18 wheeler tipped over across I-5, from Kelso Weight Station; SUV slid off Ostrander backroad (Friday): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_H-ja5o_ro

Lake Sacajawea Snow Day (Friday): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLto3s6geQQ

After I logged off, dawn’s light chased some of the early morning gray away, I didn’t like the way the ‘Welcome’ shepherd’s hook was leaning under the weight of the frosted bird feeder/house; I bundled up to go outside and slice the icy snow off both with a butter knife. I also noticed that the hungry birds had cleaned the feeder out … so I refilled it. The poor things need the feed to ward off the unexpected killing chill.

Bird tracks on the carport stair treads. 10:28 AM
6 1/2 inches by carport. 10:29 AM
Frozen snow is heavy weight. 10:33 AM
Bird tracks by car ... seeking shelter. 10:36 AM
Refilling the bird feeder since yesterday afternoon. 10.40 AM
I also knocked the snow off the roofs of the feeder and house.

Before going back inside, I also checked on my miniature rose bushes that had begun to put out new leaves before the weather went off the rails. They are holding up okay because they are kinda overwintering sheltered in the carport breezeway.

While out there, I thought I’d check the depth of the snow out back because it hasn’t been tampered with, like the snowdrift out front has; there is no activity in back of the house at the moment.

6 inches back yard. 10:43 AM
7 1/2 inches atop outdoor chest. Back of shed. 10:44 AM

Inside, I sipped some hot ginger-tea, and noticed the front porch had also seen some overnight snow activity – it had been bare, all of yesterday, despite the falling snow all day long yesterday. But, apparently through the night, the wind had shifted and sent snow swirling in that direction, too.

And somehow, somewhere, during my morning activities; I broke a fingernail without realizing it until it scratched me with its uneven end.

I filed it even while my feathered friends serenaded me …

Front porch seeing snow activity now. Side room window. 10:55 AM
I broke a fingernail.
It didn't take long for the chickadees to return ... 11:11 AM
Chickadee.
Varied Thrush. 11:32 AM
Red-winged Blackbird. 11:44 AM

I do like snow.

But I do not like this snow.

It is too heavy; this region is not snow country.

I really hope Sunday brings a let up, snow melt, and we are snow-free by the end of next week.

Friday, February 12, 2021

SNOWY SHABBAT

I thought the rain last night would melt the snow we got yesterday; but instead, I woke up to another 3 inches gathered throughout the day ðŸ˜Š

(https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/and-snow-came.html)

So, I stayed put.

Anything that has to be done in town will just have to wait until next week – word is the snow will be gone by then, as a warmer temperature and a rainstorm is rolling in Sunday evening.

I watched the snow fall all day long while I finished up a new kitchen towel design …

Skylights shaded with falling snow. Bathroom
Kitchen skylight.
Oriental Maple flocked by Mother Nature; and snow covered daffodils/hens-chicks sedum. Dining room window.
Birdhouse, birdfeeder with snowy roofs - little chickadee eating wet seed. LV window.
I put a handful of raisins and crancherries in a baggie of bird seed, and refilled the feeder for my feathered friends.
I couldn't resist making my mark ... LOL
Flocked evergreen. Livingroom window.

Around 11:30 AM, I glanced up from my knitting, and noticed the Iris planter at the street end of my garden area, was losing it’s 2-inch ‘collar’ – it was too top-heavy and couldn’t stay atop the thin lip of the planter.

By 4 PM, it had slid to the snowy ground.
Snowflakes are quite a bit bigger now ... quarter size; 11:44 AM.
Coming down pretty steadily, and adding inches; 11:47 AM.
MOD fnished Mallard Kitchen Towel Set.

Finished just before Shabbat kicked in 😉

I’m going to stop all activity now until Saturday evening; and spent tonight snuggled in Bob's recliner & blanket; to finish the novel I put aside 3 days ago to get my kitchen stocked with newly designed/worked up kitchen towels (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/mod-denim-tulip-kitchen-towel.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/mod-vandyke-spring-kitchen-towel.html, https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/mod-shortie-in-pink-valentine-kitchen.html & https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2021/02/mod-mallards-kitchen-towel-set.html).

MOD MALLARDS Kitchen Towel Set

I thought I’d try something a little different with this kitchen towel design – adding an afghan stitch/cross stitch insert along the hemline. The dishcloth is easily found online: Grandma’s Favorite Dishcloth. 

MOD Mallard Kitchen Towel Set.

Cotton yarn in colors of choice MC (I chose Crown Jewels Ombre) & CC (Beach Grass).

# 10-1/2 knitting needles

#J/10 crochet hook

#H Afghan Hook

 

With MC, CO 73 sts & P 1 row.

Continue in MC, working 4 rows st. st: EO MC

Row 5: With CC color, and Afghan hook, pick up each st across row.

Row 6: With yarn at back of work, yo and draw hook through first st, *yo and draw hook through next 2 sts*: rpt from * to * to end of row.

Row 7: With yarn at back of work, insert hook through vertical loop of second st in previous row, yo and draw through one loop – continue making loops in the same way to end of row.

Row 8: Rpt row 6

Repeat rows 7 & 8 for a total of 12 rows afghan stitch pattern; drop CC and attach MC.

Hemline with afghan sts insert.
Afghan insert completed. Ready for cross st motiif; the insert will be stiff.

Pick up sts with knitting needle, and continue in st. st. with MC for a total of 61 rows from beginning hemline.

Begin towel topper decreases as follows: P 2 tog – P 3 tog across row to last 2 sts: end P 2 sts.

Change from knitting needles to crochet hook and work in sc as follows: dec 1 st EA end until 8 sts remain.

Sc for 13 rows.

Sl st x5; ch 6 and sl st in same sp; sl at to end. Turn.

Dc x12 in chain loop; EO.

Sew button in place and weave in loose ends.

Embroider duck motif across crochet insert, equally spacing across insert.

Draw motif grid & loosely outline Duck shape on insert.
Space shapes across insert; embroider duck motifs.

AND THE SNOW CAME

 

It’s late … but it’s here 😊

No snow for Christmas, or my birthday; but the snow shows up in the PNW in time for Valentine’s Day 😉

It had been forecast – but I really wasn’t expecting it. We, here on the lowlands, rarely get snow. I’ve lived in this house through four winters, and we only got a dusting twice.

Tonight, I was working on a new design, when I happened to glance out the window and saw the neighbor’s truck glittering with a dusting of snow. Rain was falling with the skimpy snowflakes, so the snow will be crusting over through the night.

New design based on Mallard ducks.
9 PM: Snow mixed with rain. First snow of the year.

There isn’t a lot: maybe an inch. But by morning, it will probably not be evident at all. There is rain mixed with the snow.

11:30 PM: About an inch of snow.
11:30 PM: It will probably be gone when I wake up tomorrow morning.

The roads will be icy tomorrow morning when I wake up, but the snow will only be a memory …

Thursday, February 11, 2021

MOD SHORTIE IN-THE-PINK VALENTINE Kitchen Towel

I designed this kitchen towel to match a heart dishcloth I had designed a while ago – there is no pattern for the dishcloth, but it is pretty simple to make: I used a Valentine’s candy box insert as a guide and increased/decreased accordingly until my dishcloth was finished to my satisfaction. Easy-peasy. 

This towel is a mishmash combination.

This towel set has 3 different colors of pink in the design: The dishcloth was made with Hot Pink … and a lighter pink that is no longer made. The towel was made with Hot Pink cotton yarn – with a contrast worsted yarn topper; because I had enough scrap yarn of that type to actually finish up.

This towel is a shortie because I ran out of main color cotton yarn ☹

But, it is long enough to suffice: I am a shortie too, which means, I have small hands 😉

And I added a white star button because everyone is a star on Valentines Day … and the star buttons only came in three colors: white matches the design better than a bright red, or blue, would have 😊

Despite the patched together design process, I think the towel turned out okay.

Finished towel … just in time for Valentine’s Day ðŸ˜Š

I’m not really a pattern writer … I aimlessly jot down chicken-scratch-notes as I work along for personal reference (which doesn’t mean anything to anyone else), so I hope this pattern in understandable to the rest of you.

************

Cotton yarn in Hot Pink

# 10-1/2 knitting needles

#J/10 crochet hook

 

CO 73 sts & work 4 rows Moss Stitch.

Work 4 rows stockinette st, keeping each end of towel in 6 sts moss stitch pattern.

Towel hem and border; I marked each end sts to keep the border pattern straight.

Row 9: Work 6 sts in Moss St pattern for side trim; then work as follows: K 6, *P 1, K 11*; repeat * to * across row – end K 6 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 10: 6 sts Moss St, P 5, *K 3, P 9*; rpt * to * across row – end P 5 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 11: 6 sts Moss St, K 4, *P 5, K 7*; rpt * to * across row – end K 4 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 12: 6 sts Moss St, P 3, *K 7, P 5*; rpt * to * across row – end P 3 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 13: 6 sts Moss St, K 2, *P 9, K 3*; rpt * to * across row – end K 2 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 14: 6 sts Moss St, P 3, *K 3, P 1, K 3, P 5*; rpt * to * across row – end P 3 and 6 sts moss st.

Row 15: 6 sts Moss St, K 4, *P 1, K 3, P 1, K 7*; rpt * to * across row – end K 4 and 6 sts moss st.

Heart Pattern hemline.

Row 16: Work 1 row purl, keeping 6 sts EA END in Moss Stitch Pattern.

Continue now in stockinette st, keeping each end in moss st, for a total of 53 rows from beginning: end wrong side of work. If you want a longer towel, and have enough yarn … work 61 rows.

Decrease for towel topper as follows: P 2 – P 3 tog across row to last 2 sts: end P 2 sts.

Change from knitting needles to crochet hook and work in sc as follows: dec 1 st EA end until 8 sts remain.

Sc for 13 rows.

Sl st x5; ch 6 and sl st in same sp; sl at to end. Turn.

Dc x12 in chain loop; EO.

Add decorative trim, of your choice, around button loop.

Sew button in place and weave in loose ends.

PEOPLE HAVE GONE SILENT

Everyone is silent. Friends and acquaintances – who, only a week ago – was full of laughter and chit-chat have gone silent: there is nothing to say that has not been said; there is nothing new happening in any of our lives … there is nothing to say, nothing to respond to. I sense (in some of them) that their hope has been squashed and they are not responding well to the news that vaccines are not a readily available as the minions in DC would have them believe … and now the mandate is to wear two/three masks, instead of the demanded one, has them in a tail-spin as hope shatters.

Lives have been tampered with. 

Livelihoods have been interfered with. 

Income has been severely cut into. 

Business have been closed permanently.

Schools have become hollow echo chambers (I actually think this is a good thing): parents and children are aimlessly wondering around wondering what they will do with their lives, now. Some will tear their hair out until schools reopen: some will make a better choice, and decide to redirect their lives for the better. I have friends in both camps.

Lives have been lost to other ends, besides covid.

The present has been halted … and the future looks empty.

Homes have become prisons.

Outside entertainments have been declared “unsafe killing grounds”.

Talk and activity is being boldly examined and censored by the tyrannical DC minions and their social media lapdogs. Talk … that has not been checked “acceptable” by the obamanites across the board, in every aspect of life in America … has become an uncomfortable activity in today’s inflammatory political atmosphere.

The demonrat communist socialists in DC, and in leadership positions in State offices, have ramped up their dictator activities … and a checkmate scenario is now in full play.

Generally, there is a feeling of unease and barely contained rebellion – the atmosphere in America is very explosive right now. People have pulled back; some in a cocoon of basement-dwelling-fear, some in a state of springed readiness to move forward.

Everyone is holding their breath, assessing their next move.

People have gone silent.

Except for me.

I refuse to be dictated to, boxed up, put aside, and silenced.

My life still goes on.

I live for Elohim.

I live for me.