Road To Retirement!

On April 9th my world changed!
After 36 years of teaching in the public school system my retirement papers were filed.
Those who have gone before me have always said, "When you're ready you will know!" They were right,I know I'm ready!!!

I will miss going to work with my daughters and seeing some of the people I work with, but there is so much I don't like about teaching in a Middle School that makes leaving a good thing for me and my students. Time to let the Young Bloods take over.
I am sad for the Young Bloods and what they face in public education today.
The Govenor of New Jersey wants to make needed changes in the budget but feels he must bully teacher to make those changes.

Stand strong Young Bloods!


On the knitting front I just finished another Top Down Raglan Sweater by Carole Barenys.


I just love this pattern!
It's free and so easy a beginner can make it.


I made it from Zara Filatura Di Crosa yarn. The colors and feel of this yarn is amazing and great for baby sweaters.


This is a little hat I made out of some left over yarn.
The pattern is from Natural Nursery Knits by Erika Knight,a beautiful book filled with special baby pattern.


This is a sweater I'm making with size 17 needles out of Loop D Loop yarn.
The pattern is Dumplin by Kim Hargreaves and can be found in Rowan Babies.



On the Grandma front.
I got this great Grandma photo album/memory book and can't wait to start filling it up.
I also got Martha Stewart's new sewing/fabric book. I love sewing and hope to take quilting lessons this summer.

Not sure how much time I'll have in the Fall when the baby comes.

Many Good Things!

A great thing!
First pictures of First Born's baby bum.
Only 14 weeks and my grandbaby is pretty big!


The girls on their way


to the



Martha Stewart Show!




The set is just beautiful as you would expect.


Planting set.



This show had a doctor from the ASPCA with some cats.


This is some well known designer. Well known to those who follow that kind of this.
Sorry don't remember his name.
I thought he was full of himself but his designs are beautiful.


I love all the Jade Wear!!!



Joey Kola is the warm up comedian for the show.



He's very hard working and funny! I hope Martha knows what she has in this great comedian!



Martha will be 69 in a few months and looks great!


At the end of the show she stays a while to answer questions.


Check out the shoes. She started the show with a pair a few inches higher!


Now some knitting.
I just finished these cute little hats.
Aviatrix baby hat by Justine Turner is a free pattern and can be found on Ravelry.



This one is made from Ellyn Cooper's Yarn Sonnets Let's Twist. Just love her yarns!


This one is made from Baby Zarella.


The Teddy Bear Baby Blanket by Barbara Breiter is finished!


Made with Sky Tahki cotton yarn this free pattern was well written and easy to follow.

A View of Many Things

I just love our Maggie! She's an old lady but still has a great spirit.



We had a great time at The View!


Barbara came out to talk to everyone before the show started.
She looks awesome!
I have a signed copy of her book Audition which is a great read.


The girls getting a touch up and chatting.
Whoopi was off but we saw her the last time we went.


Barbara getting ready for the next guest Lisa Kudrow.
I have no pictures of her because she ran off without even looking at the audience!


Sherri is very sweet and funny.
Both times I've gone to the show she spent the most time in the audience during the breaks.


Here is Producer Bill Geddie with the cast.


There were no give aways but it was great fun and First Born put in for more tickets!



I finished the Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater a great free pattern by Carole Barenys.


I have been making button holes on both side because we don't know what we are having.


Also finished is the Oden Baby Cardigan designed by Lena Lundbladh. Lena is an awesome designer and she was so nice to give this great pattern for free.


I made it with Finnean's Rainbow yarn by Autumn House Farm.
I love the pattern and have already started a second one.


I'm also working on a design by Bianca Boonstra who was so kind to gift me two of her beautiful patterns. More details to follow.


This free pattern Teddy Bear Baby Blanket by Barbara Breiter is another project I'm working on for my future Grandbaby.



Last is a picture of the last snow fall. I hope!!!!

Take A Little Time To Enjoy The View!

We got tickets to The View for March 3rd!
Last year I went with First and Last Born. My friend PF was to have gone with us but found out she had Breast Cancer and was about to start the fight of her life.
Happy to say she is doing great and will be going with us this time!!!!


Now to baby knits.

The first is Child's Placket-Neck Pullover. It is a free pattern by Joelle Hoverson.


It is made with Miss Priss Schaefer Yarn. First Born gave me this awhile ago and it was waiting for just the right project.


This is a Debbie Bliss pattern from Baby Knits for Beginners.



I made it with Baby Zarella a Filatura Di Crosa yarn.


It is cute and thank goodness I like to seam because it's made up of five parts!
I don't see the need to made this sweater again when I can get the same raglan style with a top down pattern like the one I'm working on now.


This raglan is more like it and it's free Top Down Raglan Baby Sweater by Carole Barenys.



A few years ago my Husband and I went on a little trip to Mystic Connecticut. We had gone with our daughters many times when they were little and found it to be very peaceful and relaxing. I, as always, checked out the local yarn stores and found Mystic River Yarns.
That's where I found this amazing yarn!
If you are member of Ravelry you must check out Ellyn Copper's yarns because they are amazing!


By the way shouldn't Valentines Day be everyday!

What a Difference a Day Makes

I was going to wait to post this but First Born has already posted on her blog.
I'm going to be a Grandma!!!!!
First Born is the writer in the family and she has been writng about her 3 year struggle having a baby on her blog.
She is only 6 weeks so we are taking it one step at a time.

Last Born couldn't wait to buy something!



Now to some fiber work.
I started this crochet blanket years ago. Now that a baby is on the way I wanted to finish it.


I made it out of Bernat Handicraft Cotton. I love the feel of this blanket and the shell stitch pattern I used for it.




I started this sweater last week as soon as we found out about the Baby.



It's a free pattern from Lion Brand Heirloom Cables Baby Sweater.


It is made with Cascade 220 Tweed. I love working with this yarn and the pattern was easy.
I put button holes on both sides to play it safe.


The Chalk Dust Knitters/Crocheters met up Thursday.


There was less knitting/crocheting but lots of eating and talking about Grandbabies.


I would like to thank almondrose
for this

She has a great blog and if you have not checked it out you must do so!
I was to tell ten things about myself.
I'm going to be a Grandma is my 10 things.