Button, Button, Who's Got the Button

 I started making  face mask ear guards on April 16 and to date I have knitted 350.  I have donated them to one of the local hospitals and to the clinic where my son works.  The most difficult part of the project was getting buttons.  Friends and neighbor offered their buttons (I had none) and even my cousin from Oklahoma mailed them to me.  It's been quite an adventure.  One I have enjoyed but  wish I had never had to take.

Here is the finish product.  I can knit and crochet but I find  I like to knit better.  It has just made me so happy that I could contribute to the cause since I'm no longer actively engaged in nursing.  

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Here is the Pattern if you wish to pursue this.  And just call your local hospital's volunteer coordinator and I'll just bet she'll be happy to receive what you have to offer.

Yarn type:  Cotton

Needle size: 7

Cast on 20 stitches.  Knit across .  Repeat 5 more rows.  bind off.  Button size 1/2-7/16.  It takes about 15 minutes to knit.  I knit all I want and then put on the buttons.

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And, too, I'd like to wish all a special Memorial Day Weekend.  It is certainly different from all we've ever experienced.  Make your day one to be remembered.  For me I'm just going to be very grateful for my family and friends and that I live in one Nation under God!

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Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Family is GRAND

Has been such a busy month, this Lusty Month of May that I fear A Bit of the Blarney has suffered.  Our oldest granddaughter has graduated from high school.  The family has all arrived to celebrate and I must say I have had the best time.  

Lest I forget the reason why I have had such a wonderful holiday I must say how grateful I am to all those who have served their country, including my dear husband, Ron, so all us can experience the freedom we sometimes take for granted.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

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Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy  

INDY 500 According to Maxine

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Long before I moved to Indiana, there was no Memorial day complete with out THE race, the INDY 500. Even as a child growing up in Colorado, the race was the highlight of the celebration. The family would meet at Washington Park. Everyone would bring a dish and sandwiches to share. We all gathered round the picnic tables, said grace and chatted. Now keep in mind that this was not a televised race. The race was on the radio. After eating the women would sit around and talk, unless you were Aunt Mary. She and the menfolk would take their chairs and gather around the radio and listen to the race. It was fun as a child to listen to the men speculate and make predictions about the race. Gosh it was grand to hear the laughter and bantering.

Until recently, Wes, Annie and the Girls lived in Speedway. Yes, indeed, the town grew up around The Speedway. In the comfort of their family room we could sit watching the race on TV and open the windows and doors and LISTEN to the cars as they raced around the oval.

Times change, the enthusiasm for the sport has not. It is exciting, thrilling, and when gathered with family there is the wonderful experience of sharing cherished memories. Hope you all enjoyed the race yesterday! Happy Memorial Day!!!

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Thanks be to God!

Freedom

Washington, DC, 2007

Freedom is not just something with which we are born; it is something we achieve. America did not receive a perpetual endowment of freedom; it has had to struggle and fight to preserve it. Freedom is not an heirloom or an antique; it is a life that must fight against the corrosive powers of death and nourish itself on the daily bread of goodness and virtue.

The Quotable Fulton Sheen
Edited by
George J. Marlin,
Richard P. Rabatin,
and John L. Swan

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Thanks be to God!!!!!

A Memorial Day Poem

by C W Johnson

We walked among the crosses Where our fallen soldiers lay. And listened to the bugle As TAPS began to play. The Chaplin led a prayer We stood with heads bowed low. And I thought of fallen comrades I had known so long ago. They came from every city Across this fertile land. That we might live in freedom. They lie here 'neath the sand. I felt a little guilty My sacrifice was small. I only lost a little time But these men lost their all. Now the services are over For this Memorial Day. To the names upon these crosses I just want to say, Thanks for what you've given No one could ask for more. May you rest with God in heaven From now through evermore

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Thanks be to God!

Mt. Rushmore
6/2007

America For Me

by Henry Van Dyke

'TIS fine to see the Old World and travel up and down Among the famous palaces and cities of renown, To admire the crumbly castles and the statues and kings But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things. So it's home again, and home again, America for me! My heart is turning home again and there I long to be, In the land of youth and freedom, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars. Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great to study Rome; But when it comes to living there is no place like home. I like the German fir-woods in green battalions drilled; I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled; But, oh, to take your hand, my dear, and ramble for a day In the friendly western woodland where Nature has her sway! I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack! The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back. But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free-- We love our land for what she is and what she is to be. Oh, it's home again, and home again, America for me! I want a ship that's westward bound to plough the rolling sea, To the blessed Land of Room Enough, beyond the ocean bars, Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.

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Thanks be to God!!!

Holiday Dessert

Nectarine and Blueberry Crumble

For the filling:
2-1/2 lbs. ripe but firm nectarines, pitted and sliced
1/4 C. light brown sugar
1/2 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. pure vanilla extract
1 T. fresh lemon juice
1 C. blueberries

For the topping:
1/4 C. pecans
3/4 C. rolled oats
1/2 C. flour
1/4 C. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg
6 T. cold butter
Cream, whipped cream, or vanilla or plain yogurt for serving

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 2 to 2 1/2-quart baking dish or gratin. Toss together the ingredients for the filling in a large bowl, then turn fruit into the prepared dish.

Heat the pecans in a small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan or stirring the nuts, until they begin to smell toasty. Remove from the skillet at once and chop the nuts coarsely.

Mix together the oats, flour, sugar, salt and nutmeg in a large bowl or in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Cut the butter into small pieces and work it into the flour mixture, either by taking up the mixture in handfuls and rubbing it briskly between your fingers and thumbs, or by using the pulse action in the food processor. The topping should have a crumbly consistency. Stir in the pecans.

Spoon the crumble topping over the fruit in an even layer. Bake until browned, about 45 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Serves 6 generously.

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May you all enjoy this delight!

Every Holiday needs a "crumble"~

This one is from Razzle Dazzle Recipes.

Thanks be to God!!!!!

Holiday weekend!!!!!

Thought I'd start decorating around the "house" here for the holiday weekend. What to do you think so far?

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Thanks be to God!!