Wyoming Breezes

After cutting the fabric, I arrange pieces for the blocks on individual squares of newspaper and stack them on a large square ruler. This allows me to sew the pieces together correctly without a lot of hassle or confusion. Do you use a similar system?

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. Dove and Tablets of Stone windows The most used and most authentic symbol of the Holy Spirit is the descending dove. It is based on the account of the baptism of our Lord. The dove is one of the earliest forms used to represent the Holy Spirit. This window includes seven flames which refer to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit as taken from Revelation 5:12 - power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing. When man fell into sin, the knowledge that he had of God's will, written in his heart, was sadly blurred, yet not entirely effaced, a remnant remained. The natural knowledge of the Law is true, as far as it goes, but it is not perfect. In order that we migh...

Off-base Housing Misawa, Japan August 1979 - April 1980 It wasn't much to look at then and definitely isn't now. On-base and off-base housing was scarce, and when something came available, it was taken whether you liked it or not, and for the record I took it, but I didn't like it. The front door went into a tiny utility room that housed a kerosene hot water heater and a minuscule washer and dryer. More about the hot heater later. The utility room opened into the main section of the house where the living room and kitchen melded into each other. The galley kitchen was tiny. Notice how low the cabinet is by the stove. I'm 5'8" and really had to stoop to use the kitchen sink that was in that cabinet. The refrigerator was directly across from the stove, and the bathroom door was adjacent to the refrigerator. The bedroom was through the doorway between the stove and refrigerator. The living room was also tiny. The object in the lower left corner of this ph...

 Waiting for evening Museum of the American West Lander, WY Grounds crew trimming palm trees Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore Oahu, Hawaii

Anna's Spring House February block The Quilter's Neighborhood In March and April, two more house blocks will join Mary's Winter House and Anna's Spring House to complete the Quilter's Neighborhood. The Original version of Anna's Spring House on display in the shop used brighter fabrics. My BOM kits will all feature Thimbleberries fabric.

Mary's Winter House January block  The Quilter's Neighborhood The Quilter's Neighborhood is the Free Block of the Month program at Sheep Camp Quilt Supply. The first four months will focus on houses: one house is decorated for a each season with a quilt block. The following four months will feature trees dressed for the season, and then another set of four designs to finish the row quilt. The blocks can also be used for table runners or pillows. The program was supposed to begin in January, but the kits were not ready. On Saturday, I picked up both January and February's kits. The first kit (the pattern and enough fabric to make the block) was $10, and if the finished block is shown the following month, the next one free. If I do not finish the block in time, to stay in the program, I must purchase the next kit. By completing the blocks in the allotted time, I will have 12 blocks for the original cost of $10. The shop offered a choice between the Original version ...

Thursday evening I joined friends at the Morton-Kinnear Fire Department Pancake Supper. As always, the food was plentiful, hot, and delicious. They served pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee, and milk. Believe me, if anyone went away hungry, it was their own fault. The firemen even served seconds (or thirds) of everything at the table. Held annually, the supper is a major fund-raising event for the volunteer fire department, but it is also a place to visit with friends. These men have mastered the meal preparation and serving, and they are great fire fighters, too. The Morton-Kinnear Fire Department is one of several battalions which make up the Fremont County Fire District . The District covers an area of 6,000 square miles with 200 volunteer fire fighters. The new Morton-Kinnear fire house was dedicated in July 2009.

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. The Lamp and The Holy Blessed Trinity windows In the Book of Psalms states, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." One of the most popular symbols for the Word of God is the Lamp. The significance of the lamp as a symbol of God's Holy Word is that the Bible is not some dark difficult book which ordinary people should not read, but it is a "light unto our path," clear enough for us to understand, pointing and showing the way to "salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." In the Holy Scriptures, God has revealed Himself as the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, three distinct Persons in one divine Being. Thi...

Sapporo Snow Festival Sapporo, Japan February 1981 We toured some of the snow sculptures at night. This was one of my favorites. It didn't have the detail of the sculptures we saw the next day, but the emotion it conveyed was still strong. It was massive and impressive from every angle. If I remember correctly this was in the international section, where groups from other countries created entries, but I am not sure. I don't remember if prizes were awarded at the festival.

Dahlia , measuring 16 inches in diameter, was knit on size 2 circular needles, using Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread (size 10). Dahlia is one of three doilies featured in  Fresh Knit Doilies by Larisa Scott, published by Leisure Arts. One adjustment to the pattern, because I am inept with a crochet hook, was the knit edge. I will use the stitch again since it complements the design more than the crochet one and I doubt that I will ever master a crochet hook. The stitch, called Crown Edging, can be found on page 86 in knit edgings and trims , edited by Kate Haxell. In an earlier post , I showed other edgings from the book. Blocked and starched, Dahlia is displayed on my front room coffee table.

The doily is finished and being blocked (right side down). I'm very pleased with how it turned out - mistakes and all. When it is dry, I'll post photos of the front and the edging that I used.

Mobile ATM at a Flea Market Honolulu, Hawaii November 2010 I guess we really are a mobile society. Have you seen anything like this in your area?

Due to an abundance of coal, oil and other minerals in the area, Gillette, WY is booming town. Because housing is so tight, workers, today, often live in campers and families live in motel rooms. It was no different 38 years ago when I was assigned to complete eight weeks of student teaching in Gillette. I knew housing would be a problem, so I contacted the church to see if someone in the congregation would be willing to rent a bedroom for eight weeks. Mrs. Cannon, an elderly woman, graciously invited me to live in her home. Mrs. Cannon was an accomplished knitter, and knitted doilies (the first I had ever seen) were displayed everywhere in her home. It wasn't long before she gave me the confidence to start one of my own. When I didn't have school obligations, Mrs. Cannon and I would knit together in the evenings. She was so proud when I finished my first doily (pictured above). It was my first experience with double-point and circular needles and even knitting lace. I vow...

I've admired the windows in my church for years and decided to share them with my readers on Sunday. Each Sunday I will feature two stained-glass windows along with an explanation of each window. Previous windows can be viewed by typing "Windows of Faith" in the search box in the top left corner. Chalice and Wafer Chi Rho and Alpha and Omega windows One of the best loved symbols is that of the Chalice and Wafer which symbolizes the institution of the Lord's Supper. These objects are used in Christian art as an aid to worship, reminding us of the night in which Jesus was betrayed as well the institution of the Lord's Supper for the forgiveness of our sins and for the strengthening of our Christian faith. The Chi Rho monogram is the oldest used with reference to Christ and is sometimes called a "Christogram." The Christogram on this window also includes the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet - Alpha and Omega. This usage is based on Revelati...

Pachinko Parlor Misawa, Japan 1980 Pachinko Parlors were common in Japan in the 80s. The store fronts were all glass on the front to allow the passerby to see into the parlor. The windows, doors, and every other uncovered area were lined with flashing lights, attempting to lure customers. I didn't understand the concept of pachinko, but I did play once with a friend. Pachinko is a pinball machine on steroids. If you look closely at the photo, you will see a tray of small balls. These are the tokens for the machines, much like older slot machines used quarters or tokens. The balls could be "cashed in" for prizes, but not money since gambling was not legal in Japan. Usually, the players collected cigarettes with their tokens.

On her IrishEyes Knitting Blog , Kathy B. invited readers to participate in a Take and Replace swap. She divided the respondents into two teams (Green and Red) which she determined by location north or south of Interstate 80. I was assigned the Green Team (north). Green and Red are in competition to see which team's box returns to Kathy first. She will draw one name from the winning team for an additional treat. The bulging box arrived at my house on Tuesday, and when I opened it, the contents burst out. Luscious fiber treats (I can't tell what was in the box because it would spoil the surprise for the next person) filled an entire table. Determining what to keep was difficult: I wanted all of it! Finally, I made my decision and removed the items pictured above: a 2011 knitting calendar, some homemade cards, a variety of tea, a skein of red superwash wool, and three skeins of Noro. Yesterday, the box was repacked with the remaining items and the items I added to repla...