Eyes of Wonder

Instead of a sweater

A Simply Lovely Life

Hello there everyone, this is Rosie. We've had a bug making it's way through several in the family and today my mom's the one not feeling well. So, we've sent her off to bed for a nice long rest and relax in hopes that she'll feel much better, soon. So, here I am.

My Mom mentioned that she has had several ladies write and ask about the shawls that we've knitted, so I thought that today would be a good day to share the pattern with you.

It's actually very simple, all you'll need is:

About three skeins of worsted weight wool ( amount will vary a bit depending on how large you'll want your shawl to be)

Size 7 knitting needles (if you begin and decide you'd like your tension a bit tighter, just start over--no big deal, and go down a needle size, and vice-versa, if a bit looser, up a size.)

And here is what you do:

Cast on three stiches.

Then you knit two, yarn over, and then knit to the end.

You just keep on knitting in this same simple pattern, until your shawl is as large as you would like it to be. I believe mine is about 56 in. from tip to tip, across the top, though you could just keep right on going and make yours as nice and big, cosy and warm, as you'd like. I like mine on the shorter side, that way, I can pin it on with a lovely shawl pin, and go about cleaning ,washing dishes, preparing food, hanging out the laundry, sewing, knitting, etc...... And it doesn't get in the way.

Now, once you've reach your perfectly-just-right-for-you, desired length, you can cast off and weave in the ends.

And, that's it. You're all done.

Below are some photos of mine so you can see what they look like and get better idea of the size, and plan for yours accordingly.







Please excuse the fact that they're a bit on the wrinkly side, as you keep in mind that they've been folded up all summer, anxiously awaiting the cold weather's return.

I also got some photos that I thought you might enjoy, of one of the Puddle Ducks taking a nice cool dip, on this warm summer's day.







I hope each one of you had a wonderful day. My mom sends a loving hello, from the infirmary. She also asked me to say, that she can't thank you enough for your loving prayers and thoughts, for George and Kathy and their family. I'd like to thank you, too.

Warmly, Rosie

P.S. And, a big thank-you to Joseph, for the great photos of the shawls.

The best things come in small packages

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In just a short while, there'll be a new little one, welcomed into our family. Claire and Wesley's littlest one, is due to make his/or her emergence into the world round about the end of August. Too good to be true. Another amazing person to love.

You know, I don't believe that anything, really, has consistently, and on an ongoing basis, stirred more love in my heart, towards God, in my very best friendship with Him, than the unequivocal fact, that He gives gifts, in the form of children.

Life. God the Author of Life. He could have had life ever and always begin in adulthood--as in the case of Adam and Eve. But in His love, kindness, and wisdom, He chose to give life, the priceless gift, in the form of the perfectly precious gift of a baby.

The diminutive size (of even the largest baby), the delicate soft skin, shape of the head, distinct facial features, soft milky breath, the utter helplessness and total dependency of a newly-born baby evokes immeasurable feelings of love, and care, first and foremostly, as God intends, in the heart of it's mama, then in pretty much everyone elses life their wee life touches. The fact that instantaneously without thought or effort on her part, her body produces first the vitally important substance of colostrum and then milk--perfect composition, perfect temperature--to nourish this very one, newly emerged from her very own body, now perfectly fitted to the crook of her arm, nestled at her breast, at just the right distance to bask beneath her loving gaze, for his/or her present state of vision. Perfectly situated just near enough, to hear her whispered words and songs of tender affection.

It's all so amazing--total understatement. Mind boggling! As God says in Jeremiah 1:5, before I formed you in your mother's womb, I knew you. Nothing by chance. Intentional in every single detail, from the intricate formation, moment-by-moment, day-by-day, to the body's ability to bring the child into the world (whole nother incredible topic in itself!).

To think that I knit these tiny little sweaters over a year ago (I put the tea cups beside them to give you an idea of just how small they are), for my very own littlest--Celeisa, then tucked away inside of me, while I, on bedrest, lay--learning, growing, changing myself, all a result of her *be*ing, though we hadn't even met yet. I loved her so. I couldn't wait to see her face-to-face, hold her in the crook of my arm, nurse her at my breast, as I had all nine of her brothers and sisters before her.

Anyways, babies, among other things, have been on my mind. Can you tell? How grateful I am to God for allowing me the gifts, of 10 children, here, to love, and one in heaven.  How grateful I am for my beautiful, delightful grandbaby girl--Josie, and her tiny baby brother or sister. How grateful I would be if God was to see fit to bless me with another child of my own, to carry, to give birth to, to nurse, to mother, to love. Perhaps He will. Though I know the time of childbearing and childbirth, and nursing newborns, is a lovely season of my life, that will one day, soon, draw to a close. How very, very thankful I am for all that is, and all that has been. Thank-You, God, for giving gifts, in the form of children. I know I am only one of the countless many, that love you so for it. There's no One, like You.

It's the beginning of week's end--perfectly beautiful, here. Really, truly, perfectly beautiful. I had a busy day out shopping, with Rosie, Chubb and the Littles, and couldn't stop remarking all through it, about how lovely the day was. You could see, feel, and taste the joy of Springtime. As I'm typing Celeisa is out walking around the yard, pushing a little wooden baby buggy. It's her first Springtime, and she's marveling over the wonder of it all; picking grass to put in her buggy, following the ducks and chickens around. She's in her glory, so happy just to be alive. Rosie's listening to music while making dinner, the rest of the younger children are outside playing; jumping on the trampoline, playing kings and queens, etc....the table's set and Big Papa's on his way home. The sun is still shining, as though the day were yet young. The wind is singing the sweetest song through my window, just now. Peace and joy are my pleasant companions. Yes, life is indeed so very good. So very simple, in the midst of all it's complexities, and so very good.

I hope you have a relaxing weekend.

Lovingly, Jewels

P.S. For those that are interested in what we're knitting.... both sweaters (and the little purple cap) are made of the softest wool. The bottom, colorful sweater, was knit up of a lovely merino wool, dyed with various flavors of kool-aid :o) Isn't it cute. I have enough yarn left over for a matching hat, so just have to get around to making it--one day soon. Hopefully we'll have another little one to fit into them one day--If not, there are always lots of baby dolls waitin' and hopin' for sweaters too small for anyone else, to be passed along their way. And yes, Celeisa did fit perfectly into the little sweaters. She was born a month early, weighed 6lbs at birth and went down to 5.5lbs in the first couple of days. So, though she was a good size for being 1 month early, she was by far the tiniest of any of mine--and missing all the body fat I was so use to seeing--and looked especially fragile and little-bird-like, to me! Once she took off nursing, that good ole mama's milk fattened her right up.

As tough as they come, and as soft as they get...

A Simply Lovely Life.

As everyone knows, 'tis the season for capes and crowns, kings and queens, knights and fair maidens, swords, shields and battles.

When you're three years old, in the preparation for, as well as in the midst of, the battle, valuable life lessons are being learned and shared...

Your big sister makes your crown
Another big sister makes your cape
While yet another big sister and big brother
make your sword and your shield

All the while, you're looking on with wide-eyed expectancy and anticipation, as everyone's bein' readied for the battle, ahead--drinking in the stuff o' life that makes your world go happily-round; kindness, caring, friendship, and the immeasurable gifts, of imagination and time, being bestowed...

By and by, the battle's on and raging. It's fun and it's fierce, but no one gets hurt. No one's left out. And, though you be the shortest in the crowd, no matter--you're just as important as the next guy or gal, and equally feared (or so it seems), as you charge, wielding your big hulking branch sword, pushing up your crown that's once again fallen, down over your eyes.

In the warm sunshine, wind and the m-u-d, you run, jump, hoot and holler, expending all that wiggly energy you'd been storing up from the time you got into bed last night (dog-tired from yesterday's carefree, merry, fun and play) til now. Tooth and nail, sword and shield, fancy footwork, fighting hard. You give it your all, and in your heart, in the end, you're sure you won.

Pleasantly spent, at the close of the day, battle-weary, peace-filled, content, as is always the case-- what goes around comes around--and more priceless life lessons are learned and shared,

Love grows, in the tender and warm, small and precious acts of home, and the life lived, therein; the day-to-day, simple, joyous beings and doings with those that know you best, and love you most, and vice-versa.



I hope each of you and your very own kings, queens, knights and fair ladies have a beautiful day--in the livin' and lovin',  the bein' and doin'-- together. Today is special--it's never going to come round again. Grab hold of it and make it matter for now and forever.
Lovingly, Jewels

Twenty years ago, today, this lovely maiden came our way.....

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Twenty years ago, today, God blessed us with our first baby girl---a delicate Rosebud.  What a delight she has been to us, bringing us nothing but joy, every single day of her precious life, since.

How thankful I am to have such a loving, gentle, kind, caring, thoughtful, patient, understanding, fun, truly--beyond words w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l---now a woman, friend, in my dear daughter.

She loves life; reading, writing (stories, poetry, letters, and has been dreamin' up and telling sweet stories to all her younger brothers and sisters for years :o), cooking, baking, drawing, hiking, biking, knitting, painting, sewing, singing, playing the guitar, playing the piano, gardening....

She's always had a huge mother's heart for animals and has had *quite* a menagerie of them over the years.

She reminds me of Tasha Tudor in so many ways--ever barefoot, donning an apron, feeding the chickens, the ducks, the geese, the goats, out in the garden gathering the ingredients for the next meal, stirring whatever's in the pot on the stove whilst reading her latest book.... Rosie! :o)

She loves babies and children, and has a sweet, soft, mother's heart, that would be so thankful to receive the blessing them, one day, if God sees fit to give them--in His perfect time.













Oh Rosie, how I do cherish all the memories;

carrying you in my womb--hidden away while you grew

wondering who you were, and what you would be like

seeing you and holding you in my arms and kissing your soft pink cheeks--for the very fist time

tears of joy falling, as you contentedly nursed at my breast

watching you take your first steps at 10 months old

teaching you to read

to sing

to knit

to sew

working alongside you

in the kitchen

in the gardens

folding laundry

beside a tub filled with bubbles and little ones

moment-by-moment

day-after-day

year-after-year

talking with you

laughing with you

crying with you

reading with you

singing with you

be--ing with you

simply *be-ing* with you

the immeasurable blessing of daily sharing my life with you

and you, yours

with me,

being the closest and best of friends,

from that very first magical moment,

'til now,

and for forever....

Happy Birthday, my precious Annie Rose. I love you so.

***************************************************************************

P.S. For those of you that are interested in such things as what we're sewing and knitting, Rosette does love to sew, it's probably her favorite thing to do, next to gardening and cooking, and well..... I guess knitting, too.  She made all of the outfits that she's wearing in these photos; overdresses, underdresses, the button-back vest....and the heathered-blue wool  shawl is one of several that she's made. We use the wool shawls as wrap-around sweaters for the little ones, too--they're really cute this way--maybe I'll try and get a photo of the baby swaddled in one, to share :o)

A Few of My Favorite Things

 A Simply Lovely Life.

This lovely mobile was my Christmas gift from the children. It's made of driftwood and seashells. I just love mobiles, and this one is such an interesting beauty. I enjoy it everyday! 

Of course you can see one of my VERY MOST favorite "things" there in the background, reading her book---She too, is a REAL interesting beauty!!  And do I ever enjoy HER, everyday!  :o)

Another favorite thing is watching a little one learn to sew. Sophia's learning.  She's been sewing her own skirts and wears them so proudly. She's sewing little things she calls "pockets", which are (sorta) square pieces of layers of fabric sewn together and  decorated with big interesting buttons and swirls of machine sewing. They're really creative.  I want her to make some as wall hangings. 



Here's a photo of Sophia in one of her sweet skirts, that she made last summer.  Her little buddy--Aimaija, is waiting patiently for Sophia to get to the point where she's makin' her some skirts, too. Til then, she'll just have to be content to hang around in her big bloomers, I guess. Go, Sophie, go!   :o)



Another of my favorite things is watching a child learn to knit. I guess it's more than just watching them learn to knit, though. I love to see that God-given wonderment within every child, and how it serves as wings, enabling them to f-l-y!

I marvel at how they automatically love to learn, learn, learn, and endlessly create, and in their hearts believe they can do anything, which with time and materials, a little modeling and instruction, and lots of loving encouragement, they can!  I love the fact that it's all about the process with children. They get lost in the magic of the process.  They forget about any and everything else 'round about them--yesterday, tomorrow--every fiber of their being is engaged in their all important, all encompassing project of the moment, be it 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days of engagement.... eyes  transfixed, their breathing slows, they bite their tongue as their concentration peaks--It really is so beautiful--every single time. 

Each of the children have learned to finger knit at around 4 to 5 years old, and then have moved on to knitting on large wooden needles they've  made with me, from dowels sharpened with a pencil sharpener and sanded smooth, at about age 6. 

Aimaija, is a beginning finger knitter, but as she and Sophia are the best of buds, together continuously, and Sophia is knitting away on 2 needles and even circulars, now. Aimaija is **dyin'** to jump ahead and **really knit**!  Sophia knits, and knits, and knits "(she's been bitten by the bug and is now smitten!) . Relaxed on the couch-- with her legs propped up on the big wooden table in front of it, in the car, she gets herself quite happily situated, and knits away.

This said, Aimaija has now taken to "knitting" each day, with 2 pencils, and to her, she is doing something of incredible significance--to me, too! She's been doing it for a couple of months and hasn't tired of it yet, though it's *all* about process, and all of her hours of effort haven't produced a single *product*!  How beautiful, to hear her little voice cry out each morning----Where's my "knitting"?!  Meaning of course, where are my 2 pencils and my string! 

Let me tell you, this wise mama clamours to look under the couches and chairs, in the block baskets,  here, there, and everywhere, 'til her knitting is found.  I know the projects will most likely be freely flowing, one day, and I want to insure my  fair share of toasty warm sweaters, hats, shawls and socks...... when I'm an old(er) granny, shivering with cold from poor circulation :o) :o)  You go, Aimaija, go!!



This pottery candlabra is one of my very favorite thrifting treasures.......which leads me to another favorite thing--candlelight. 

I so enjoy candlelight, in the dark of morning, during breakfast, on rainy days--throughout the day, at the evening meal--with the table set-- while the food is still cooking. The house smells delightful and everyone is excitedly awaiting Big Papa's arrival home and the cacophony of smiles, conversation, hugs, good food and drink, stories, and the evening, together, that will follow...........



And yet another favorite thrifing treasure--actually discovered on 2 different occasions, is this family of elephants; the mama, the papa, and baby.  Especially lovely to me is art in various mediums and forms of expression --- drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, poetry, music-- depicting God's inconceivably wondrous concept of the family, and the relationships within one, however large or small, at whatever stage and/or season of life and growth it may be.





Seashells......I'm really fond of seashells, I always have been, even long before I was privileged to live by the sea. Some of my most treasured gifts have been the simple, thoughtful gift of a seashell/s. 



And lastly, is one of my especially treasured and appreciated favorite things. This was a gift, made for, and given to our family, by perhaps the dearest, most loving, kind, and thoughtful friend anyone could ever dream of, or hope for--this amazing puzzle clock!  It's beautiful and it keeps perfect time! 

This beloved friend is one of those fast movin', fast thinkin', folks that takes on challenges that most of us would shudder at the thought of, while fleeing post-haste!  We treasure having it, to remind us of him each day, and the immeasurable gift--of all the love--the time, the care, the listening ear/s, the laughter, kindnesses, encouragement, the chinese food, the pizzas, oranges, ice cream, he even *single-handedly* (yes, single-handeldly in about 2 days!) put a roof on our house!! (which I do have a photo of that I almost put up here, too, but I didn't want ot risk the possibility of jeopardizing this good thing that's been goin' on for so long! :o) ...... that he's so faithfully, unconditionally, graciously and freely shared with all of us, for the *entire life* of our family.



I hope you have a wonderful day.
Lovingly, Jewels

Grammy's little Darlin'

Just a quick hello this morning :o)
The little ones have been popped in the tub to soak and play together, with Julia watching over and reading aloud to them while they do. The rest  of us are scurrying about making food, making beds, doing dishes, getting clothes ready, packing the diaper bag, and getting things situated for a full and busy day away.  We're off to fellowship with a number of other dear families for the day; a shared meal, singing, praying, looking into and sharing God's Word, together. Rosie's made 2 big pans of lasagna (and her lasagna is delicious :o) and Julia is going to whip up a big batch of brownies, soon as I head on in and take over at her tubside post.  Wesley and Claire will be there, with Josie.  I so look forward to spending the day with them. What a joy it is. Speaking of whom.......

Yesterday, Big Papa and I went for a nice long drive in the country, and before heading home stopped in for a visit at their cozy home.  Julia and the Littles were along with us. When we got there, Josie was curled up sound asleep, in the bedroom. Meanwhile, all of her noisy little aunts and uncle settled in, making  themselves at home and making a fair amount off noise (trying to wake her up??) out in the living room, playing with her blocks and  toys. I had a nice visit with sweet Claire, who was just a bit baby sick--but despite the fact, looked beautifully radiant, and Big Papa chatted away with Wesley about his business.

The very good news was that Josie did wake up just before we left (thanks to the Littles?? Or thanks to me??--who just had to ask if I could just take a quick little teeny-weeny peek in the room at her, before we left. To which big-hearted Claire replied, "Sure! Go right on in and see her!".  Which of course I did, and within seconds was greeted by two big blue eyes and a huge grin (showcasing her brand-new, beautiful, hard-earned,  new teeth :o).

I got these photos of her just before we left. I made her a little jumper out of a cotton, leaf-printed fabric, with a pair of linen bloomers to go under it, and knit this moss green, cotton hat for her, to go with  the outfit. I'll be taking photos of the outfit, and wanted to get a couple of the hat (which is at her house, and is of course way cuter on her head than sitting on the table, being photographed). So I was glad that she cheerily obliged me (wouldn't you say so?!) on my way out the door!

Rosie made a matching outfit for Celeisa, though, I'm still working on her hat, as I kind of set it aside getting side-tracked by other things, including a different hat! Hopefully, I'll  get Celeisa's hat finished, soon enough, and get a few photos of the two littlest love bugs in their matching outfits, to share.

A Chubby-Cheeked Tongue Twister
*************************************

She sells seashells by the seashore.
Surely, she shall sell seashells by the seashore.
Shall she sell seashells by the seashore, someday?
Surely, someday she shall :o)

I hope each of you has a beautiful day :o)
Sending much love your way.....

The identities of the Hopefuls revealed :o)

uploaded by Joyfulmama.

Good morning :o)

I tucked an extra photo of Sophia in at the end, so that you could see her adorable first big knitting project, close-up. She made her hat with some help from mama and Rosette along the way--with Rosette finishing up the decreasing at the top. Let me tell you, she is p-r-o-u-d of this little hat!  You can see her artistry on the front--she knit it on circular needles, and occasionally picked it up and knitted in the wrong direction. We left it, and it ended up being it's *crowning glory*!

And again, for those interested in what we're sewing:

Julia sewed up the little polka dotted smock that Aimaija is wearing in the top photo. Also, Rosette whipped up the feathered Robin Hood cap for Nicholai and one for his faithful companion, Chubb. They've had many adventures beneath them, since the giving of them :o)

I was so tired by the end of the day, yesterday that I could hardly keep my eyes open during supper! I hit the hay early and slept like the dead all night, with just a few dreamily remembered awakenings to nurse Celeisa! It sure felt good to sleep :o) I'm up, fresh as a daisy (well, nearly fresh as a daisy!) and ready to go.

We're finishing up chores, the boys just returned home from their early morning paper route, and the girls made them a big hearty breakfast.

Rosette is practicing the piano--the girls have piano lessons late in the afternoon, today.

Sophia and Aimaija are busily playing *sisters* as the older children scurry about finishing up their morning jobs.

Little Celeisa has just these past couple of weeks begun playing things like *sisters* and *little house on the prairie* (and is of course baby carrie when she does get in on the action!) with them, which is very cute.

My, it is so hard to believe she's nearly 1 year old already! Seems such a short time ago that I was in the hospital in the midst of *the grand adventure* with the placenta previa complications and then the c-section. Where did the year go??? I've been thinking so much about my birth, lately, as Valentine's Day--and Celeisa's birthday (which will now always be such a special day for me) draw close. Seems I not only gave birth to a treasured little baby girl, on that day, but that a whole new part of me was born as well.  Ahhh, life truly is a marvel is it not..... so many experiences, so many precious  people, always changing, in perpetual forward motion--never standing still......

I read the Bible with the children first thing in the morning (my favorite time of the day with them, which usually results in a loud and lively hoo-rah-rah over something :o), after chores are finished--beds made, laundry is going, things situated for lunch and supper preparations, and all the animals are taken care of. After that everyone gets busy with their schoolwork--which goes on til about a half hour before lunch time--fast and feriously for the older ones and slow and turtle-like for the littlest ones and mama, curled up on the couch for a good while reading together--then some phonics and math and memorizing all the good stuff they'll one day be so glad to have stored away.

I'm going to head out in a bit to get Aimaija's first few photos printed out for her Alphabet Book and get that underway. Sophia will be beginning *her* book--The Ones I Love, and Nicholai will be making a Number Book, for the littler ones, so........stay tuned for some photos of those :o) Our photo books have been some of the children's greatest treasures over the years. I marvel at how quickly the time passes by and their little books become jewels of precious memories. I'm so thankful for the gift of photographs, to remember all the things I am so busy doing that I would be sure to forget--the things that will be dearest to me when all is said and done.

All righty, I hope you have a wonderful day.
A loving hello from us all :o)

The Christmas Hats

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Here we have three of the brothers and Big Papa in their Christmas hats.

I'll try and get a photo of Wesley and his love bug, Josie, in their matching hats to share also :o) And *that* will be something to look forward to! Get ready to be majorly cute-ified :o)

So, here we have, from left to right:

Rosette made the hat for James
Julia made the hat for Chubb
Chubb made Big Papa's hat and.....
Chubb also made Joseph's hat

Julia made a hat for Wesley and a matching hat for Josie.



I'll knittle a little,
I'll knittle a while,
And when I am finished,
It'll give you a smile.

I'll think of you during,
From when I've begun,
I'll think of you all the while,
Til I am done.

***************************************************************
I'll try to write a note later today, and share about the wonderful day we had yesterday. 

We'll be baking cookies today. "Why??", you ask :o) Well... so that Aimaija can move on along to the third letter of her Alphabet Book--Cc Cookies :o)

So.... stay tuned for some delicious cookies hot out of the oven, and tall glasses of creamy, cold milk fresh from the milk farm, in just a bit! 

In the meantime, the day is young and there's lots to be done around here; dishes to wash, floors to sweep, laundry to be folded, math problems to be worked and stories to be read, soup to be made, a little bit of sewing and a little knitting, too, as time allows.

I hope you have a truly lovely day; treasuring those that you love dearest and best, telling them today, what you may not have the privilege of telling them, tomorrow, holding them close and letting them know that you love them--just as they are-- for who they are, being free and generous with life-filled words of kindness, understanding, and praise. May you make your way slowly and deliberately through today--drinking in all the joy and wonder that it holds. 

.... I'm off to share with the children some of the great and wondrous things God shared with me, during my time in His Word, earlier this morning :o)

My heart is like a singing bird--Christina Rosetti

Much love to you all.

P.S. It's snowing here, today--loud hurrays are echoing through the halls.

And a Side Shot of Her Little Wooly Bonnet

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How about that sweet little ducky profile??!! I know, too cute! :o)

A Hat I Just Finished Knitting For Celeisa

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A wee, cozy wool cap that I made for my tiniest flower.
She's wearing her cute little flowered smock that Julia made for her.
I'll try and get some photos up of those other recent creations--from Christmas etc... I've been talking about, now that I have the photos a-streamin' right on in! :o) :o)