Ohio: Part II

Lessons to be learned...

Ahhh, as the days went by there was a lot to be learned.  While she had put me to work in the yard earlier, I  later asked for her knowledge in exchange.  Years ago I had taught myself how to knit (basic level).  Then last year I got a refresher from a lady on one of my mail routes.  Now I had Granno all to myself and a wealth of knitting and crocheting skills just waiting to be pasted on to the next generation. 

Sitting on the deck with wine and yarn.

 



A hat that I had started for Jim but didn't know how to finish.

Really - 4 needles?!

 



Thanks to Granno and some wine the hat was completed!

 



I spent a day teaching my Uncle John how to make sourdough English muffins and two kinds bread.

 



His first loaf!

 

See what I mean about good food, wine and sitting around?  No wonder my shorts were a bit tighter when I got home, but it was all worth it.

 

still more to come...

Anniversary Gift

If you read the blog occasionally you would know I am a bit of a sentimental sap.  I sucker for tradition: mine or some else's.  Well, here's this year's anniversary gift.

A hand knit hat for Jim...

Complete with a ponytail hole!

 

After a little research I found out that the traditional gift for 7 years is wool and copper.  Having just learned to knit earlier this year, I thought I would try my hand at making Jim a hat.  Besides, he's always complaining that his beanies "ride up" because his ponytail gets in the way.  He wonders out loud if they make beanies with holes like baseball cap to stick his hair through.  Now I am creative but not the best at deciphering patterns.  I tend to "just figure it out."  So after a few phone calls to my Granno, the family knitter, I was on my way knitting up a storm of knots and rows that hopefully would emerge as a wearable hat for my hubby.

 

I used wool from a friend's sheep.  I attached 2 "copper" pennies (everyone knows they're not really copper anymore) - one 2007 and one 2014 (year of our wedding and year of our anniversary).  I knit 7 stripes to represent our 7 years together.  I tried it on, too big - perfect (hopefully) because Jim's head is bigger than mine.  I compared it to another beanie that he wears that seems to be the best fitting in our house.  It all seemed good.  Then I wrapped it in a brown bag labeled "Open on 3 Oct." and stuffed it in the bottom of his suitcase.  See, Jim was at his cousin's wedding in the Outer Banks for our anniversary, but I wanted him to have it on that day anyway. 

 

He loves it and it fits well!

I wonder what the traditional gifts for 8 years will bring?