Friday, November 11, 2011

Eleven Eleven Eleven

Willow's Fave Fives--a little late this week.  But here they are--

1. When our espresso machine broke a few weeks ago, The Professor looked for a replacement part online to fix it.  Unfortunately, the part could not be ordered.  In typical Professor fashion, he attempted a couple of fixes and found that using a 3/8" socket drive would turn the broken handle.  Then he realized that if he had a piece of 1/4" steel stock, he could cut it to fit and repair the broken 'turn thingie' himself.  Where to find such an item?  I emailed my friend Roxie and her amazing husband posted a 6 inch long cylinder of 1/4" steel stock to us.  We're back in production thanks to The Professor's ingenuity and Roxie's hubby's generosity.

2.  I wrote earlier this week about my fun adventure in teaching some girls to knit.  This afternoon, I'll be doing a return gig to instruct them in increasing and decreasing.

3.  Today is 11-11-11.  On this day, we celebrate and thank the men and women who have served the United States in the military.  As the daughter, niece, and wife of veterans, and as the mother and mother-in-law of active duty military personnel, I have much invested in this day of thanks and remembrance.  THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY.

4.  In addition to this day being a federal holiday, it is also the wedding anniversary of my son and daughter-in-law.  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

5.  Weather.  I just like weather.  I've been noticing that the quality of the light during day hours is changing.  I'm not sure why or how, but it just seems like winter and it's the LIGHT which makes me realize that we are moving nearer to the winter solstice.  This week we have experienced some warm, sunny, windy days and also some rainy days, like today.  Unexpectedly, the leaves turned from rich magenta and vibrant tangerine to sodden, drab washed out versions of the purples and oranges.  Perhaps tomorrow while they are still hanging from the branches, the leaves will brighten back up again in the sunshine.  Even in Southern California weather can be (a little) interesting.

This has been Willow's Weekly Fave Fives.  If you want to join in focusing a weekely post on thanksgiving and gratitude, you can link up at Susanne's blog Living to Tell the Story.

17 comments:

ellen b. said...

Glad you've got that espresso dripping again!! Enjoy your knitting adventure. Sunset here was at 4:38 today... We had to bring the flags in early. :0)

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

Loved your husband's fix. Mine is quite the handy guy too -- has saved us alot!

I loved your list, but I must admit the teacher in me perhaps loved the Oopsie post even more!!

Have a great week!

Susan@FruitfulWords said...

How special that you are teaching some girls to knit. I wished I had taken the opportunity to learn more from my grandmothers when they were alive.

I saved the directions for the scarf. If I finish this scarf, I will truly know how to increase and decrease well.

Have a great week.

Lisa notes... said...

The Professor sounds like my dad. He would try to fix everything himself. But that's a great trait to have.

I'm thankful for all who have served and who are serving now too! I feel very blessed by them and their families who make the sacrifices.

Mama Mia said...

How fun that you've been sharing your knitting skills! I've been thinking of having a knitting day over Thanksgiving... And thank you for all YOUR sacrifices! It's not easy having so many loved ones in the armed forces. Love you, Mums!

roxie said...

Glad to help, and glad it worked.

And thanks again to all who serve. DH is a vet you know.

Susanne said...

I have a wonderful Mr. Fix-It too, and though he tires of having that title, I am very thankful I have him.

Happy anniversary to you son and DIL!

snoopydogknits said...

Hello there Willow! Our leaves are still hanging on in there and we are experiencing unusually mild weather for so late in the season. We are out and about without the b=need of a coat; unheard of in the UK in mid November. Wishing you a peaceful week. Ros

Melanie - Author/Editor/Publisher said...

Neat comment about liking weather. Never really looked at it that way!

Great about the espresso machine!

: )

Jill Foley said...

Willow...thanks for the tip on getting my hands on Joshua's books without a Kindle. He surprised me by sending them to me (for free) as an attachment in an email - totally unexpected and totally appreciated!

Claudia Bugh said...

A wonderful week in review :) I echo your THANK YOU to all who have served and do serve this Country.

It must be fun to be launching new knitters into the world ~ looking forward to seeing their first projects!

Karyn said...

I am chuckling at your comment that even in Southern California weather can be 'a little' interesting. I would enjoy weather that was only a little interesting. :)

Good for hubby (and your friend)to get your espresso machine going again!

You sure do have a lot invested in Nov 11! You have much to be thankful for and proud of!

Betty Jo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Betty Jo said...

Awesome post Willow! Please say "thank you" from me to your military men. Your husband's fix was awesome. So glad you can now comment at my blog. Thank you for the awesome comment today. ♥

Bethany said...

You two would get along with my next door neighbors perfectly! They are actually adding an addition onto their house on their own! They are ingenious like you!
I love that you're teaching the girls again. It's great that you can share your talent like that. And thank you to your family who have served this country so well!!!

Knitting Linguist said...

Those are some good ones - it's hard to go wrong, for example, with a working espresso machine! And thank you for your thank you to our military personnel :)

nikkipolani said...

You may be a little late with your fff, but I'm really really late with comments! Espresso machine fixed, knitting fun, anniversary, lovely CA weather = great week indeed.