More Treasure

January 1947

Knitting for Baby, 1948

Knitting for Men, 1950s

Mittens and Gloves, 1950s

Treasure

Through the years and from several different sources, I have accumulated a substantial library of old knitting, crocheting and crafting books. During the Christmas visitation of my daughters and sons, I pulled out several boxes and bags, opened them up and offered any and all patterns and books to the girls. Because both girls (well, they're women, really) love vintage clothes and are quite knowledgeable about style, they love the pattern books and enjoy playing the game, "What year was THIS published?"

Wanna play? Try to guess!

A) What is this? Cinderella?

B) Four beauties!

C) Clues to the decade include the mustache, shaggy hair and that wristband!

D) No fashion era should ever include reptile accesories!

E) Black and White

I enjoy perusing the old books for ideas and comparisons in style, shaping, and fiber, so I find them interesting and inspirational. I just don't need 50 or 60 books! Is there anyone out there in blogland who would like some? I'll be happy to mail off a box of old patterns to the first person who asks for them.

Fave Five, First of 2010

Happy New Year! Welcome to Willow's edition of Friday Fave Five, First Week of 2010!

Are you ready for a new year? I'm not! I'm just finishing up my Christmas celebrations. Because our family was scattered to other places this year, we played revolving doors (and beds) in an attempt to spend some time together during Christmas week. We did not succeed in having everyone together at the same time, but we all saw each other long enough to say, "Merry Christmas" and share gifts.

1. My Fave Fives this week will be curtailed by my first fave- a new computer! I have had a new laptop in my possession for a few weeks, but moving files and uploading programs has been a slow process. Knowing I had to learn Windows 2007 on my new computer, I dragged my proverbial feet and finally today I made the final computer switch over. However, it's not going so smoothly and therefore my FFF is being affected. All in all, though, I'm thrilled to have a computer now that will read and upload cds and dvds which my old computer had quit doing a long time ago. Because the new computer is doing something 'weird' and I can't upload any more photos or use it until The Professor performs some magic tricks with it, I have moved over to his computer to finish writing my FFFs.

2. Being with family is the best! We loved spending a few days spoiling our New Boy.

3. We enjoyed a couple of walks at Ventura Beach during the week. We are so blessed to live near the beach and in a climate that allows us to walk there year round.

4. Giving my adult children free rein in the kitchen to cook and clean up was definitely a favorite part of my week! They're all competent cooks and willing washers.

5. I loved putzing around my cottage for a couple of weeks without having other obligations like tutoring and teaching sessions. Knitting, reading, and playing games provided just the right amount of activity.

Here we are, 2010, a new year in a new decade, looking back one last time at 2009. What wonderful events impressed you this week?

You can share over at Susanne's blog, Living To Tell The Story.

Happy New Year! On we go to 2010!

Christmas Math

This is the way Christmas is adding up this year.

1+1=2 (Willow and The Professor)

2+1=3 (The Grad Student)

3+2=5 (Kiti and The New Boy)

5-2=3 (Kiti and The New Boy leave)

3+2=5 (Kiti and The New Boy return)

5+2=7 (Chaplain Dan and The Princess)

7-2=5 (Chpl. Dan and The Princess leave)

5+2=7 (MamaMia and The Marine arrive)

7-2=5 (Kiti and The New Boy fly away New Year's Eve)

5-3=2 (MM, The Marine and TGS go home)

Willow and The Professor, empty nest in January.

I should have made up a spread sheet.

Merry Christmas!

Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again.

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

This sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

Friday Fave Five, #67

Wow! Is it really FFF #67? Sixty- seven weeks of celebrating our blessings! Thanks, Susanne, for hosting us every week.

It is The Week Before Christmas Week, and I have finished my teaching and tutoring for the month/year 2009. Now is the time I can focus on preparing for Christmas and enjoying social activities.

1. Christmas cards. Because I love receiving cards every year, I also send them. The Professor and I worked together to update our address list on the computer, print out labels, write a Christmas letter, stick labels on envelopes, stuff the envelopes with cards and letters, seal them and affix correct postage. For more than one hundred cards, that's a lot of folding, stuffing, licking and stamping. The project is done and now it's up to the US Postal Service to do its job of placing the cards in the appropriate mailboxes.

2. Driving PCH--which means Pacific Coast Highway, not Peace, Charity, Hope--to spend the day with friends in Manhattan Beach. With the beach on my right on the way there, I drove through Malibu, peeking at the ocean whenever I could take my eyes off the road for three seconds. Mist, a few clouds, low flying pelicans, crashing Pacific Ocean waves, bikers, runners, surfers.

3. Celebrating a special birthday with friends! I spent the whole day with the birthday girl and enjoyed lunch with several of our mutual friends.

4. We decided that we ought to walk off our pizza lunch and cookies and ice cream dessert. By the time we finally left the restaurant and drove to Manhattan Beach Pier, the sun was thinking about setting. The temperature was still in the high 60s, so we didn't take our jackets with us. (You can see in the photo that the children digging in the sand are wearing summer beach attire.)

Three miles of walking along The Strand, gazing at this sunset:

5. After driving home along PCH in the dark, with the ocean on my left, I arrived at the cottage to find The Graduate Student sitting in the family room--home for the holidays!

It has been a most pleasant week here at Willow's Cottage! How was yours? You can share in the comments or go check out what others have to say over at Susanne's blog.

Wild Red West

Here in the Wild West, poinsettias do not come only in puny little pots sold in grocery stores in December. We grow them big and tall along roadsides and in gardens, where they swiftly turn in to large perennial bushes or trees.

On a grey day, the giant red blossoms brighten the side of the road leading to a park on the edge of town.