The boys are back in town

Husband Steve, and son Aaron went skiing in Colorado over President's Day weekend. They left Friday morning, and got back late Tuesday night. It was Aaron's first time on an airplane, and I think he was as excited about that as he was about going skiing. Here's a picture of the two of them in Colorado:

They had too much fun. Here's another of Aaron:

Meanwhile, daughter Eileen and I had a good time at home. Friday night, after getting home from work and school, we frantically cleaned house for two hours as we prepared for a Sit & Knit at my house. A couple of people braved the cold and joined us. On Saturday morning, Eileen participated in Math Relays sponsored by the school district. She participated in four events, and although it wasn't a clean sweep, she received three Gold Medals (in Algebra, Data, and Number Sense) and one Silver (in Geometry) at the 9th grade level. Makes her mama proud, that one! We celebrated at Outback Steakhouse that evening.

We also attended three worship services in two days. We went to the Saturday night contemporary service at Church of the Resurrection, our own church Sunday morning, and friend Laura Guy's church, Living Water Christian (www.livingwaterrchristian.org) on Sunday evening. Our conversations driving to the different churches were very interesting as Eileen read to me the list of things I was to watch for (for worship class) and we discussed the various aspects. She is the Alpha group leader for the youth at our church, and it has been very good for her and has caused her to think about things that are way beyond her fourteen years. I was really impressed by some of her insights and questions.

Meanwhile, with the boys gone, we broke a lot of the household rules like staying up late and eating in the living room. We did manage to "keep the home fires burning" for the boys. I have not been blessed with the fire-building gene, but fortunately Eileen got it from her father, and we were able to maintain until Tuesday morning a fire in the fireplace that Steve started on Thursday night. We had a great weekend!

I had a root canal on Tuesday and have been suffering since - welcome back to the real world! Well, not exactly the real world...the darvocet world.

Eileen and I get our turn in May. Eileen's choir from school is going to New York and DC, and I'm going, too. I have a few other fun trips planned, as well...a work-related conference at TanTara during Spring Break (good timing, huh?) and a trip to Chicago on the train in August to attend the UMC National Clergywomen's Conference. (www.gbhem.org) So far we have two in the room, and there is room for two more. Any interest?

So that's what I've been up to.

Roadkill - a knitted frog

At last some knitting content! That's what I set this blog up for, yet I haven't yet posted anything about knitting.

Someone on one of the lists I'm on wanted a toy frog pattern for one of her beginning students. Google search turned up very little. The question inspired me and I came up with this pattern. Knits up quick. I call it "Roadkill" because of how it looks when it is first knitted. Let me know what you think.

Flat Garter Frog
Use two coordinating shades of green, and knit two pieces, one in each color.
The lighter color will be the underside of the frog. The frog pictured is knit from Opal Crocodile sock yarn. Only half of the frog has been done in the picture.

Use an appropriate needle size for your selected yarn. If you wish to felt the frog, you should knit more loosely. If you wish to stuff without felting, drop down a needle size to create a firm fabric.

CAST ON 3
Row 1: K3
Row 2: INC1, K3, INC1
Row 3: K5
Row 4: INC1, K5, INC1
Row 5: K7
Row 6: INC1, K7, INC1
Rows 7-18: K9
Cast on 12 at start of next row
Row 19 : K21
Cast on 12 at start of next row
Row 20: K33
Row 21: K33
Row 22: Bind Off 11, K22
Row 23: Bind Off 11, K11
Rows 24-39: K11
Cast on 13 at start of next row
Row 40: K24
Cast on 13 at start of next row
Row 41: K37
Rows 42-29: K37
Row 50: K34, Place 3 stitches on holder
Row 51: Bind Off 31, K3
Row 52-66: K3
Cast on 3 at start of next row
Rows 67-69: K6
Row 70: bind off 6 and cut yarn
Repeat rows 52 – 70 on the three stitches placed on the holder at line 50 (you will not repeat row 51)
Place the two pieces together. Because it is done in garter stitch, there is no right nor wrong side, although it would be best to match up the cast on rows. Stitch together using the darker color yarn, leaving an opening where the mouth of the frog would be.
If you used wool, you may wish to felt your frog. Otherwise, stuff to the desired firmness. Sew mouth closed using contrasting yarn. Add buttons or googly eyes for eyes.

When it rains it pours!

I got an email from my pastor yesterday, and he asked me if I would be available to preach on March 12. He has planned a lenten series on Gandhi's "Seven Blunders" - the traits most spiritually perilous to humanity. They are:

Wealth without Work

Pleasure without Conscience

Science without Humanity

Knowledge/Education without Character

Politics without Principle

Commerce without Morality

Worship without Sacrifice.

Here is a link for Gandhi's grandson's interpretation of the seven blunders:
http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/Library/LibraryItem.cfm?LibraryID=780

My pastor allowed me to select one of five (Knowledge {Dr. McCoy - Palm Sunday} and Worship {retained for Easter} were spoken for) so I chose Science without Humanity. As a recovering civil engineer, I am somewhat familiar with science. At least that is the reason I told myself.

So now I'm in deep. I have a few things that I've thought of for illustrations, considerations, etc. Among them: Thoughts I had while visiting Los Alamos while on my immersion last year (Thanks God for once in my life I actually kept a journal!); The Tuskegee study some years back (Needs more research - Only a vague recall of major ethical issues having to do with subjecting African American males to some sort of harmful medical or radiological testing without their knowledge or consent); experiences in mission and using "appropriate technology". I'm still looking for ideas...feel free to post.

I also need a scripture that fits. A Psalm would be good, then I could possibly use the exegesis for a class that I'm taking this semester. Again, any ideas would be more than welcome!

********

I've been finding some other friends blogs, and as soon as I get their permission I will link to them as well. I added links for Hipchickmamma and Deaconess_grrl. Never played with html before. I was really thrilled when it worked!

A Couple of interesting quotes

I get quotes in my email. Still need to figure out a good way to save them for future reference, but here are a couple that spoke to me. Maybe something to develop further....

There is in every true woman's heart a spark of heavenly fire, which lies dormant in the broad daylight of prosperity; but which kindles up, and beams and blazes in the dark hour of adversity.
--Washington Irving (1783-1859) American Writer

Hard things are put in our way, not to stop us, but to call out our courage and strength. -- Anonymous

Your thoughts appreciated.....