To Friends

Sale! 25% off Yak Yarn

The sale is over but do take a look at the most beautiful yarns ever..

Back in September, After 20 yrs. my cousin and friend , Jan was looking at blogs...guess what she found me.
We lost touch after my many back surgeries and my moving to Florida....

We used to ski and really be the best of friends. I thought of her often and
wondered what she was up to. Well now I know...she's knitting like me. So as in the past we speak almost daily.

She is a nurse now...and doing private duty. Gosh, missed out on alot....
We have caught up very quickly..I of course sent her to http://www.ravelry.com/. then she told me about
this specialty yarn she purchased....Mink and Cashmere.....wow.


I didn't know about it..so a few days later I go and get the mail and yes, she sent me that
beautiful 70% mink /30% cashmere from http://www.greatnorthernyarns.com/
. I do not need to tell you what a surprise and thoughtful gift from an old lost friend.

It just seems that we have connected right where we left off. Older, wiser (well???) and can't wait
to drink some tea together.

Thanks Jan..cause I have really missed you.....as Sly used to say, "We are family".......

To you,
darla

Tatting Memories

http://tatknot.blogspot.com/

As a child I remember my Mom sitting at the table or a comfortable
chair. She had this funny looking thing with lots of string. She
seemed to enjoy what she was doing. Lots of concentration with
what she was doing.

A few days later I watched as she hung her beautiful piece that
she created to the shades. Oh, it was to pull the shades down.

For me it's just one of the great memories of my childhood.
How I wish she were here to watch me knit and how much I enjoy it.

I've thought about tatting but couldn't give up my knitting
to start something new (too big a stash now). So I was looking
at blogs and found this great one on Tatting. She has plenty
to get you started and to continue with this craft.

So go to the above blog and enjoy, hopefully you have memories
that will come to mind in your childhood.

How I wish Mom had showed me to tat...

Peace,

Darla

A NEW IDEA

I am really trying hard this 2011...I  just donated  $25 to the Cancer Walk here in De Smet.
This gives me three months at the motel swimming pool for aerobics...

I love to swim and always have until I moved here 10 1/2 yrs ago. Lakes with green
floating stuff isn't too much fun trying to scrap it from your body. I also was a certified
diver in Florida (learned while working on the "Warm Mineral Spring" archaeology
underwater project. What fun!!!!!

So I'm hoping to lose 11 lbs. and get my back & leg muscles working again. Three
back surgeries in the 80's doesn't help when I'm reaching another year of my life
in April. I am a person that likes to be & do this in a group. Am very excited.

SO I AM CHEATING A BIT....hot pink ( I don't like it) one piece but being as I
checked out my dive bag & found my "Puma dive skin. Wow the entire body will
be covered including the fans under my arms..

Will keep you posted & hope my plan will work.

Peace,
Darla

iGoogle and Prayers

iGoogle I like this..I actually can post from my front page....ooh I love Google..

Please keep my wonderful sister in law in your prayers. She is having heart surgery this Monday 0730am.

I spoke to her this evening and she was great to able have a little fun on the phone.


So keep Graziella in your prayers....

Peace and thank you,
Darla

Just A Quick Look

Okay, so here is Sister Mary Merlot tap dancing.....

I will catch you up on my experiences this last 3 months or so.
Who could've guessed this would be me.....

Have a great day tomorrow!!!!!

Peace,
Darla aka Sr. M. Merlot

I Promise I Am Still Here..

I am missing blogging and being a knit fanatic!!!!

Being "famous" is hard. I have rehearsal from 7-9 pm and sometimes 10pm. I then have to practice & stretch these old muscles I haven't used in decades...I actually fell asleep on the sofa
about 8:30 the other night (that's different for me) and woke when the Westie was standing on my chest....

I have been having fun and this is definitely a learning (relearning) process for me.
That old saying "If you don't use it you WILL lose it", is appropriate here for sure.

Knees are now wrapped as tap dancing and slamming the ball and heel of your foot does hurt your knees afterwards. But as usual I am hanging in..I love it..and hope the other Community Plays will be something I can do...

I am loud enough that I don't need a microphone, as you that know me will attest to.

I am Sister Mary Merlot and cannot wait for the 5 shows.

Love and Peace to all,
Darla

I can't wait to tell you more & have pics for you...

I've Got To Go!!!!!

After tapping all week end and now in extreme distress (I do have a disability, which I try to ignore) after bending my knees & tap dacing, pounding my toes then heels & then both
I can't do it all..

I don't remember feeling every muscle in my body for a very long time. They have been retired for quite a while.

I am not giving up but warming up more. I will not give in to the discomfort because I am having too much fun!!!

Voice is deeper but they need me with all those sopranos...dancing and keeping time well someone has to show the 16 yr. olds of the world that 60 is okay and it certainly isn't what 60 was for my Mom....

Keep smiling and "The Show Must Go ON!!!!!! Oh don't forget the Grammy's...,.

Peace and lots of Freeze It..
Darla

Making a Shawl

www.handpaintedyarn.com

I bought the most beautiful lace weight, hand painted yarn from this company...ooh, it's going to take awhile to knit but I'm enjoying playing with it.

The yarn has small colorways of a rust, browns & other beautiful fall colors.

will take a picture in the next few days as I get further on in the knitting.

I have singing rehearsal this evening so must go and practice my notes. This weekend will be crazy as we have a Tap Dance Teacher coming to work with us.....I know that my back & legs will be sore but I want to have some fun!!!!

Have a great week,

Darla

Hello 2010: Busy Busy

Well my boring life has now gotten insanely busy.. Actually I am loving it..I finally started on FaceBook and many friends from high school days have found me. It is quite the lift that was needed.

Now I am in a musical, yes a musical in our local Community Theatre. We are doing the play
"Nunsence" which if I remember sometime in the eighties off-Broadway.

This coinciding with my friends from Central Catholic High girls on the right side of the school & boys on the left, taught by The Sisters of Notre Dame, and the play about Nuns.........to wild.
Singing, tap dancing and wearing a nuns' habit....wow ,who would have thought!!!!

Tonight is our 3rd rehearsal out of the minimum we will be doing before the 5....did you see that I said 5 shows!

So I have been coming home about 9:30, take the dogs out, check the DVR and then knit for a few hours.

Have a great night,
Darla

ps. I am going to start using a "drop spindle"........

HAPPY NEW YEARS.....2010

2010 oh my.......and a Blue Moon (2 full moons in 1 month).

Everyone be safe, have a great day tomorrow and the BEST to all of you in 2010!!!!!!!


Peace,
Darla

Start of 2010 Resolutions

http://tricks-for-new-bloggers.blogspot.com/

This is a great blog as it gives you very EASY information on how to change up your blog.

This is something I have wanted to do for a while..change up my template to one that is definitely me. I like being able to control (oh, that's me) my destiny, okay maybe just my blog....

Now that I am on Facebook, which I am enjoying connecting with old and dear friends, I also can use this as a medium for my art, knitting and blogging.

I have alot of time but it never seems to be enough for when I want to vacuum, you now what I mean...vacuum or knit??? No contest here..knitting comes first.

I will stop for now as I want to look at the above blog for MORE info before I change it up...and must finish the throw rug that I started..

Peace to all & good health & wealth 2010,
Darla

V.I.P. MESSAGE TO ALL.....
Also need to get to http://www.ravelry.com/ and communicate on my groups. If you haven't checked it out do it for yourself this year....We are a GREAT group of people with so many talents.......

MERRY CHRISTMAS CARD

Yellow Finches in Snowstorm....


Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year to All My Family And Friends...

I'm cooking a spiral ham & making goodies to eat as with the Blizzard that has started no one will be going anywhere until it stops Saturday afternoon.

Bises & Blessings to all,

Darla

Friends

The photo to your left is about 1955, Norwalk Hospital photo. My Dad is the 3rd one from the left seated on the floor.


Wow..what kept me off Facebook so long. I was found quickly by a friend (a close one) from high school. Couldn't ask for a better find this time of year.





As of today many more friends from home & high school have gotten in touch via Facebook.





I thought I might get my Blog out there a little more, it is great, What a time of memories that are flooding back. It's great because they all are great ones.





I've baked a bit today but mostly rested, After the last year of knitting my hands hurts!! I now can start on ME!!!!





Have a great nite,


Darla

Packages mailed

So yesterday was "Pack up gifts" to be mailed to Kansas. It is complete and lots of knitting projects which (I hope) they will enjoy.

I volunteered on Thursday at Good Sam Nursing home and watched the fifth gragers make gingerbread houses. Wow are they creative!! I never would have thought of a swing set made
made of pretzels and gumdrops. Icing for the glue of course. The boys can be proud as they helped a few of the residents make houses of their own (actually the kids did the work).

We had one lady who would spread frosting on her graham crackers THEN eat it. Not just one but many. So it was fun.

Then Thursday eve I went to audition for our local Community Theatre Group. I made it!!!! Don't know what part as yet but it's going to be loads of fun. Oh, did I tell you it's a musical!!!!
"Nunscance"....very appropriate for a Catholic High School graduate!!! It's so funny and it will be in the beginning of March. Finally found my calling......A NUN???

I'll keep you informed.

Peace,
Darla

I guess singing & dancing and learning lines & songs will be quite the task after so many years.
Class of 67, CCHS

Surprise Box

Oh my gosh......this was in my mail box today. To have a friend that knows me so well still after these many years. I just cannot tell you what this means.

How did Lee Mae know that those 4 different size circular Clover Takumi Bamboos' are just what I needed?

Look at the yarns!!!! I will be busy enjoying each and every one of them. And a Christmas tree pin, just for me.

I miss seeing my dear friend. We have had a long and great friendship since I was 13 yrs. old.... I still have to finish the project I made for her
but have put it aside because of knitting for the grandkids.

I want you to know that I will be picking that project up immediately!!!

You are always in my heart & mind Linda..

Love you,
Lou Lee

Veterans Day

Thank you to all our Veterans of serving past, present and those in our future.

I have many family members now serving as well as those who had served. My brother retired after 30 yrs.

Job well done...Be safe,

I love you all!!!

Darla

"No Reply"

Oh what a great song by McCartney/Lennon......"No Reply". To have grown up and marked special events by "The Beatles" is magnificent. I love being a baby boomer and have seen and heard the wonderful musicians of our era.

It is odd how each song meant something different back in the day and reflected on that period of time in our lives.

I can still listen to all the wonderful music and remember the times. Frusteration, fun, peace & love among us all.. It's fun to know our children and now our grandkids are exposed and enjoying this music. It seems to mean something different for each of us. I was remembering an old boyfriend from my "Sweet 16" party. How funny is that.

Well enjoy this week.....and by the way GO YANKEES!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace & Love,
Darla (Stella)

A Day Of Rememberance

I remember sitting the entire day watching the television when Katrina hit Mississippi and Louisiana knowing my son in law ,who was serving in Iraq ,didn't know the danger that was upon his immediate family and friends.

I called looking to make sure his Mom & Dad were safe as they left the area. They were. I spoke alot to my daughter as she had so much to worry about at that time.

His family lost alot but thank God they are safe. No more High School in Gulfport for his memories upon his return. I reflect on what has not been done to help more the Americans who still are in need of help in these areas.

Now I sit in front of the TV watching the funeral of Sen. Ted Kennedy. It has been quite a different day than we have seen in the Kennedy lives. I learned alot in the last few days of the Senator as a human being. He really did come into his own.

He will be missed by all as a champion for all who were in need or were just wanting the rights as Americans they should have.

I am knitting as it makes me happy and this is a celebration of a life .

Being a woman and having a disability and working for advocacy for others makes me sad to see him gone.

Peace,
Darla

I have missed blogging. I have had alot of knitting time since I last blogged.

The ADA Presentation went great. Next year, the 20th anniversary will be so important to all of us. Have been busy working advocacy online as well as locally.

I lost a dear friend last month. I can't express how hard it was for me as well as her family. Yes she is out of pain and safe but I miss her terribly and will never forget Verla.

I had quite an odd feeling in the pit of my stomach all day today. With Senator Kennedys' death I reflected on what an impact in my life and many others (baby boomers) has had on us. I think back to all of the tragedy that struck us during the time that we were teens. The changes that came out of the pain that was put on us as a Nation. It did shape us in many ways.

I am still proud to be a liberal democrat and so lucky to have been born when I was so that I can still feel a part of many important days in our history.

God Bless and peace,

Darla

The Last Few Days

Wow, what a June..so much time to reflect on ones self after losing so many young people. MJ what can I say but that he was a star like no other. Farrah had the courage I wish I could have in very hard times ....

It is sad when we see someone we have never met but have enjoyed for the last 40 years the spirit they had to entertain us. It reminds me of how hard the life we lead is. It isn't easy and thank goodness I am not in the spotlight.

June is strange here as last night the temp. actually was 57 degrees. It did feel good to open the windows to sleep by. Unfortunately it got me so relaxed that I read for an hour (2am). So I didn't get up very early.

I'm still knitting alot. I have been making project bags and purses from cotton yarn. Great for the summer to throw in the wash and hang to dry.

Well must go and finish a project and start another. And put the dogs to bed.


Peace and great week ahead,

Darla