Monday, October 31, 2011



I thought a little Edgar Allan Poe was appropriate for today. 
Enjoy and Happy Halloween!

BOO!


The Raven
by Edgar Allan Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
  Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
    While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
   As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
  "'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
                Only this, and nothing more."

    Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
  And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
    Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
    From my books surcease of sorrow- sorrow for the lost Lenore-
  For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
                Nameless here for evermore.

    And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
  Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
    So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
    "'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
  Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
                This it is, and nothing more."

    Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
  "Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
    But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
    And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
  That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
                Darkness there, and nothing more.

    Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering,
        fearing,
  Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
    But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
    And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
  This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
                Merely this, and nothing more.

    Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
   Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
    "Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
    Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
  Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
                'Tis the wind and nothing more."

    Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and
        flutter,
  In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
    Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed
        he;
    But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
  Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
                Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

   Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
  By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
   "Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no
        craven,
   Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
  Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
                Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

    Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
  Though its answer little meaning- little relevancy bore;
    For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
    Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
  Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
                With such name as "Nevermore."

    But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
  That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
    Nothing further then he uttered- not a feather then he fluttered-
    Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown
        before-
  On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
                Then the bird said, "Nevermore."

     Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
  "Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
     Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
     Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
  Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
                Of 'Never- nevermore'."

    But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
  Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust and
        door;
    Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
    Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
  What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
                Meant in croaking "Nevermore."

    This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
  To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
    This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
    On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
  But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
                She shall press, ah, nevermore!

    Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
  Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
    "Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee- by these angels he
        hath sent thee
    Respite- respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
  Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
                Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

    "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!- prophet still, if bird or
        devil!-
  Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
    Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
    On this home by horror haunted- tell me truly, I implore-
  Is there- is there balm in Gilead?- tell me- tell me, I implore!"
                Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

    "Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil- prophet still, if bird or
        devil!
  By that Heaven that bends above us- by that God we both adore-
    Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
    It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
  Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
                Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

    "Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked,
        upstarting-
  "Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
    Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
    Leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!
  Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my
        door!"
               Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."

    And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
  On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
    And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
    And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the
        floor;
  And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
                Shall be lifted- nevermore!

 

Friday, October 28, 2011


One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.  

- William Shakespeare -


Wishing you a weekend full of nature's splendor.
HDP

Monday, October 24, 2011

Snow Crest Scarf


I finished up the Snow Crest scarf today.  

:-)


This is probably one of my favorite scarf patternsIt works up quickly and I really like the look of the shells.  You can find the project details HERE.  

I made this to go with my jean jacket for the crisp autumn weather...


It was a little difficult to get a good photo, the sun sets quickly this time of year.  


Now back to my afghan project that I'd set aside.  I think the sweater I started is going to have to wait until after the first of the year.

Happy crocheting and Happy Monday!

HDP

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Fall Family Day


Today we took a day trip for our annual "pilgrimage" to the pumpkin farm.  We took a hayride out to the field and picked a few pumpkins for the front porch.  While we were there, we also went through...

 a 12 acre corn maze carved out in the shape of zoo animals.  Luckily, they handed out maps for those who weren't brave enough to get lost. 

:-)


We also went to Fort Ancient, a state park and museum.  We've been studying about Native Americans in Heritage Studies and it seemed like the perfect opportunity to tie in the history of Ohio's Indian groups.  It is in the same area as the pumpkin farm and it was a gorgeous day to be out and about.


The trails were beautiful to walk through, our feet crunching the fallen leaves and the sunlight making pretty dappled shapes on the floor of the woods.


There are ancient Indian mounds throughout the park.  Some of the mounds form the walls around the site and others are burial mounds for the Hopewell Indians that lived there many, many years ago. 


Any way you look at it, it was a wonderful Fall day and time spent with my little family. 


A day to be thankful and count the blessings in my life.

HDP

Monday, October 17, 2011

It was a Gorgeous Day


After lunch yesterday afternoon, I went out on the deck and worked on my CAL scarf.  It was a gorgeous day.  The sun was warm without being hot, and there was a wonderful autumn breeze rustling what was left of the leaves on the trees.

I started my scarf yesterday and have just been crocheting a row here and there in the car to our different destination spots over the weekend...


It was so peaceful sitting on the deck with hook and yarn even if it was for just 20 or 30 minutes before the "boys" came out to see what I was up to...and all progress came abruptly to a halt.  

:-)

But, it's longer now than when I started...


P.S.  Every time I take a picture on the old patio table I think, "I really need to get out some spray paint and give this 'ole' thing a face lift."  But it does have a vintage charm to it with it's nicks, paint chips and wear... 

Happiness in a few minutes of peaceful crochet.  

HDP

Sunday, October 16, 2011

 Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord, O my soul! 

Psalm 146:1


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Excerpt from Hymn:  It is Well with My Soul
Horatio G. Spafford (1873)

HDP

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Tiramisu in Blue...


is through. 


I just finished up a baby boy blanket for one of my husband's nieces.  She had a little boy a couple of weeks ago.  I used the Tiramisu Baby Blanket pattern for the body and just did single crochet for the edging.  I had this pretty blue in my stash, it's Red Heart Designer Sport and the white is Bernat Softee Baby that I also had on hand. 


It's a simple blanket, but will be good for every day use and should wash and dry well.  

 It's a beautiful day here in southern Ohio.  Perfect autumn weather.  The sun is shining brightly and there is a crispness to the air.....perfect.

Hope you are enjoying your day today.  

HDP

Thursday, October 13, 2011

CAL Anyone?


Anyone interested in a crochet along?  

We are having a scarf CAL over on Crochet Country on Ravelry if anyone is interested.  There isn't any deadline, we are just fitting the scarf in with our other projects.  

I decided to make Lisa Naskrent's Snow Crest scarf.  I've made it several times before and I really like the look of the shells in the scarf.  I'm just using some yarn I had on hand left over from an afghan project (Wool-Ease in Wheat).  Should make a nice warm scarf to wear with my jean jacket on a crisp cool autumn day.

I'm still working on a baby blanket and then back to the Wooded Lodge Afghan.

Stop by Crochet Country and say "hi" if you like.  Hope to "see" you there!  

:-)

HDP


Tuesday, October 11, 2011

I'm Published!!!


Woo Hoo!

The wait is finally over!  

My very first published pattern can be found in the new issue of Crochet World!  

I'm super excited!  

Follow the link, then scroll down to the Winter Blooms Blanket...

that's me!

Just had to share my excitement with my on-line friends.  

:-)

HDP

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Fall Road Trip


This past Friday, we headed south on a fall family road trip...

It was a beautiful day for traveling and as we headed into downtown Cincinnati, I caught the above photo.  The building with a crown is officially the tallest building in Cincinnati and has just recently been completed.  

On our southbound journey, we were able to spend some quality time with my father and to take our son to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Museum


The Space Center is home to many artifacts from moon walking...


to space travel...


and exploration...


We had beautiful weather our whole trip and it felt like early summer instead of October.  

 We are home now and I'm getting caught up on the laundry from our trip and unpacking suitcases...

I did get to crochet a little while in the car and during our trip.  I'll share my progress with you in the next couple of days.

Hope your weekend was out of this world!  

:-)

HDP

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

I'm In Love...


with a pattern that is... 

LOL

I have one panel (of 10) complete in the "Wooded Lodge" afghan.  This pattern is so much fun, I enjoy doing the different stitches and seeing how the pattern develops.  I think this is going to be really cool, oops, I mean warm when it's done.  The panel is very heavy.

I've found the pattern in two different places...



On a different note...

One of the expectant nieces had her little one a bit early, so I started working on the second baby blanket yesterday.  I'm using the Tiramisu pattern.  It's one I turn to time and again; tried and true and I'm making it in blue!  

She had a little boy.  

:-)

HDP

Monday, October 3, 2011

Chili



Yesterday, before we left for church, I threw together THIS chili recipe in the crock pot.  That way, when we got home, I just need to get out the soup bowls and dish it up.  Dear husband said that it tasted like his mothers.  I'll take that as a nice compliment from a man of few words.  :-)


I did make a few substitutions with what I had on hand.  

  • I used 20 oz of lean ground turkey in place of the ground beef 
  • I used 3 14 oz cans of diced tomatoes
  • I only used 8 oz of tomato sauce in place of the larger can
  • And, I used 1 large can of kidney beans (I think it was 28 oz) in place of the dry beans


I left all the spices the same as hers and it really turned out great.  I'm always looking for new recipes and improving on old favorites.  This is a keeper for sure!


Happy Monday!


HDP

Sunday, October 2, 2011


Delicious autumn!  
My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  

-George Eliot-

HDP