Today.....

The sun is hiding behind the clouds again, and I'm hoping the downpours of two days ago do not reappear.  But, there is a brisk wind (which I do love).

Going to go to church today...saw via Facebook that there is going to be only a brief message.  The rest of the service is going to be pure worship--which means alot of music, and I love, love, love music!  This will truly lift my dry and weary soul!

After church, I'm off to the mall.  I usually try to avoid shopping on Sundays, but I promised I would purchase something for my supervisor for Bosses' Day.  I put that off yesterday when I was somewhat in the doldrums.  This is something that needs accomplished today.

When I look around me, I am seeing areas that need tended to....dusting, vacuuming, and so on.  I still have a hat to finish today.  I wonder which will become first on my list (weighing the options---cleaning or knitting...and the winner is?)

I'm still in the process of updating and dressing up this blog a little.  Unfortunately, my own computer has bit the dust, and I'm using my son's laptop.  This laptop is not saving my pictures (or anything for that matter).  If I want to use a picture, I need to go back and find the picture, download it again, then use it quickly before it disappears. 

Oh, for my old desktop to come alive again!  My son says he can fix it, it's just a matter of when that will occur.

I'm off for now.  Hope to see and hear from you soon.

Beth

Feelings of the Day

I've been busy for the past several weeks.  Eleven hats, two baby blankets and a scarf...all knit except for the baby blankets which were crocheted.

And even in the midst of all this business, I've felt somewhat sad....somewhat not right.....somewhat empty.  I don't know why.  I've dealt with this before.....

the emptiness, the loneliness, the very edge of depression.

Then, I have to stop and think.  I have a roof over my head.  I have a bed to sleep in at night.  I have a job to go to every day.  I have my children and my grandchild.

There are many that don't have even these basics of life.  These are the ones I knit and crochet for so that they can have at least one hot meal a day.

I have nothing in my life to feel sad or empty or lonely or depressed about.

I pick up needles and yarn and keep on.

Beth

Starghan

Here is the beginning of my latest 'starghan'.  I just love this color combination....reminds me of sitting on a beach and being calm.

One the things I love about this afghan is the multitude of designs that can be made....any color combination, different widths of the colors...and you have a completely different look.

So, tell me....what color combinations do you like together? 

These usually sell for $70, but are on sale for $60....custom made especially for you (or a special someone).....and 15% of your purchase price is donated to help feed the homeless.

Can't get much better than this, can it?

Beth

Hat Time is Approaching!

Finally.....Friday has arrived.  A busy week at work, a busy week at home.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing weekend....knitting, crocheting, a pool party to attend tomorrow (hope the weather is like today--warm and sunny).

I've been enjoying the summer months, but the fall and winter will be quickly approaching.  And Christmas....yes, I'm already thinking of Christmas presents!!  Are you?

So, today we have the second Offering....a toddler/child slouch hat.

You know, these are quite the trend lately.  I made one of these for my granddaughter, showed two friends the finished product.  And then they wanted one for their granddaughters.

I've also worked up a pattern for an adult, so that size is also now available.

This is the children's slouch cap in teal.  It's also available in magenta, royal blue, black, white and purple.

They are made in a sparkly yarn because all little girls love their sparkle.  The back of the hat is shown, and there is a 2 inch ribbing which frames the face and keeps those little ears warm. 

You can order this in any of the above colors or choose another of your choice.

Toddler:   $10.00
Child:       $12.50


Again, please remember that 15% of your purchase price will be donated to help feed the homeless.  And shipping is currently free.

If you would like one of these adorable hats, please leave a comment or email me to discuss colors and size.

Now, I'm off to dinner with a friend.....

See you tomorrow!!

Beth

A Daily Ramble

Yesterday morning I stopped at the convenience store to buy a cup of coffee....just like I do every morning. 

It's early....6 a.m.  I pull into an empty parking spot, get out of the car.  As I'm starting to open the door to the store, I notice a young girl pulling in beside me.

Go in, prepare, pour and pay for my coffee.

I'm heading out the door when I see this young girl getting out of the driver's side of my car.  She sees me coming towards my car.

Poor girl!!  She is so embarrassed.  She says to me, "I'm so sorry.  I went to the ATM, turned around and got in the wrong car!!  They're both the same color, you know!!"

I reassured that everything was okay...no worries.

I told her that the exact same thing had happened to me, and it did!!

My daughter and I were shopping, came out of the store and got into a car.  We looked at each other and starting laughing....we were in the wrong car!!

Lucky for us, we were able to get out of the wrong car and into the right one before the owners arrived.

Oh, the silly things that can happen in a day!!

I'll be back tomorrow with the second Offering.

What did you think of the headband?  Do you have any suggestions for items that you would like to see made for Offerings?

For now, I'm off to work on a crochet shawl.  We'll see how that turns out.

Beth

A Little About Me.....First Offering

I'd like to introduce myself to you.  My name is Beth.  I'm a mother, grandmother, and a Christ follower.

I blogged daily for quite some time, then grew away from this.  I'm glad to say that I am back.  Sometimes I have a lot to say....other times not so much.

My heart has grown in it's passion for the homeless.  Some of us are only a paycheck away from being in this same situation.

I have felt God prodding me for several years to help do something about the sadness and desperation of the homeless.  And I have.  I've volunteered in feeding meals and gathered up donations.

But most of all, I have talked.  Talk without too much action.

Another passion of mine is creating things.  I love to come home from work, sit and relax with yarn and a pair of knitting needles or a crochet hook.

As I've been thinking about my hobby and my passions, I often wondered how to put the two together.

God has given me a talent.....God has given me a heart for the homeless.  What to do?

These are the feelings and the reasonings behind Hand and Heart Blessings.

15% of each purchase price will be donated to Helping Hands Ministries of Harrisburg, PA (close to where I live) to help feed the homeless at least one hot meal a day.

So, it's simple...You receive a handmade item for yourself (or someone special), and a homeless person receives a meal.

All of this being said, here is the first Offering:

This is a crochet headband with a rosette.  The one shown will fit an infant, but the size can be adjusted for any age--older baby, toddler, child, teen, adult.

All I will need is the measurement for the head circumference.  The width shown is one inch, but again, this can be made wider.  The rosette can also be made larger.

You may choose any color of band and rosette.  It's all up to you!!

Prices range from $3.50 for an infant to $6.50 for an adult.

To purchase this item (and view several other items), just click here .

I'm also looking for suggestions for items to make.  So, if you have any suggestions or items that you would like to see her, please leave a comment and let me know.

Beth

























I

The Beginning

I see many homeless people on my commute to work.  Men, women, children--sitting along the riverfront after a night spent sleeping under bridges, in doorways--wherever there is a place to lay their heads.

I drive home, and again I see these same faces and new faces also.

I also have knit, crocheted and created things for many, many years.

Two passions--one talent.  I have often wondered how God would have me combine these two--use my talent to help those my heart has been drawn to.

Thus, the beginning of Hand and Heart Blessings.

It's a relatively simple theory:

1.  I make something.
2.  I offer it for sale.
3.  You order it (always in the color and style of your choice).
4.  15% of the purchase price is donated to Helping Hands Ministries of
     Harrisburg to help feed the homeless.

You can visit their web page Helping Hands Ministries of Harrisburg or visit them on Facebook page here .


Please consider helping to feed those who cannot feed themselves.

Beth