Photo of the Day: No Smoking

Saint George, Utah; December 2010

presented with this comment:

Actually, no there are no comments. I think this pretty much says everything.

Auntie Nettie's Attic Merchandise 2011 - January

Instead of doing periodic updates on my crafting this year, I thought I'd try end-of-the-month wrap-ups.

I came back from vacation with a large stash of yarn, and a resolution. I am NOT to purchase any more yarn this year until I work my way through the stash that is piled up on my bookshelves, tucked between furniture, put away in bins, or hidden in the closet with mothballs. (Gifts of yarn are exempt from this resolution ... It's the purchasing of the yarn that's the problem.)

In the unlikely event that I run out (HA!), I also have a stash of fabric that is crying out to be used. Of course that means dragging Grandma Ollie's sewing machine out from underneath the bed and hauling myself down to sewing classes in the Fashion District. One craft addiction at a time, please.

I'm trying to finish up the UFOs (UnFinished Objects) from 2010, but I still have scared myself with the amount of blankets already done, and it's only January.

Here's everything all piled up:#ANA 2010-163 & #ANA 2011-01 (as of 03/11, #163 not available/as of 09/11, #1 is no longer available): White Chevron Lace Blankets#ANA 2011-02: Light Pastels Crib Cover
In close-up:
#ANA 2011-03: Seafoam Waves Lap Throw
(as of 05/2012, no longer available)#ANA 2011-04: Chenille Polar Bear
#ANA 2011-05: Pink Hoodie Blanket
(as of 03/2011 no longer available)#ANA 2011-06: "Denim" Blankie (as of Feb. 2011, not available)
In close-up:

Still in progress:
2010: Stuffed Animal/Multi-fiber chevron blanket
2011: Green Lace chevron blanket

As ever, if you see anything you'd like, just contact me for sizes, availability, and costs.

Photo of the Day: Old Man in the Grotto

Snow Canyon, Utah, Hidden Pinyon Trail, c. January 1, 2011

presented with this comment:

Just when you think your ancestors aren't keeping an eye on you, their shadows seem to lurk around every corner.

Letters from Ollie J - Jan. 28, 1982 & 1996

I think this is the first time (at this point), where we have two letters on the same date - but more than a decade apart.

The first is from 1982, when I was about 10. We must have seen each other over the holidays and I must have been a brat, because I'm apologizing for being one.

28 Jan 1982

[probably from
The Farm
Pikeville, NC]

Dear [Granddaughter],

Your letter was welcomed and appreciated.

Surely I’ll forgive you. Your actions weren’t to[sic] [crossed out/illegible] nice Christmas. We all feal[sic] different[sic] at time. But don’t help to let it show.

Be happy and show it and the world will be a nicer place to live.

Love your work and it seems to get done quicker.

Take care of yourself.

I love you and think you are nice.

Grandma

It's nice to see that some sort of personal progress had been made in the intervening years. Not quite such a brat if I'm suggesting going to see grandma instead of making her deal with airports and weather.

Sadly, I never did get the hang of making those biscuits, or the recipe.

28 Jan 1996

[The Farm
Pikeville, NC]

Dear GrandDaughter

Thank you so much for thinking of Me and sujesting[sic] coming t[sic] GrandMa’s For Christmas.

So proud to have you all. Was a big change for me. No Rush or scramble. Glad you enjoyed your short time here. Thanks for the Gifts etc.

So glad the gloves came in handy. Must have had inspiration.

Glad all got home Before the Blizard[sic] of 1996 Came. We had wind some snow and COLD so ice was added. Power lines and trees were covered. Like ferry[sic] land to look at But awful to get around on. Sun shine made it sparkle.

Then we have rain ever other day. High winds some too.

Thankful no accidents in Family.

I have sniffles No other Bug at present.

Helped Paint Kitchen in a Trailor[sic] Friday and No heat in it. Sure hope don’t get sick. Will ask more questions before accept another Job. Girl is trying to get a place to live before Baby arrives. Trailor[sic] looked fair to good on outside But What a mess in side. May even Leak when rains. Not sure is livable. But she is trying. Husband is in Drug Re hab place. So No help.

I Helped lady quilt part of two days last week. I love that work. No one has brought me a quilt this year. Some have ask but not got it here.

Need to get Mufler[sic] on car one on it is to[sic] noisy. Always something. If one Rides.

Wind has been cool today.

Your Mom said Jed’s Job wasn’t what he thought it was. You probelly[sic] heard that.

Am sure you can make biscutes[sic] after a Few triles[sic].

Thanks again for gifts and your visit made Christmas more enjoyable to share it with you.

You have probley[sic] cought[sic] up with your work by now.

Still keep being very careful with your driving.

Pictures were nice Thanks.

Thanks for Readers Digest The second one came yesterday. So this gift will last a long time.

Your mom was working over time too. Test to watch students take When I called yesterday. Will be exra[sic] pay though. Your dad was home said all was moving along well.

Take Care of Your self.

I LOVE You

Grandma

Photo of the Day: Snowy Streets

Street scene, New York; around 11:40 p.m., January 26, 2011

presented with these comments:

It sure is pretty when viewed from the relative warmth of the fire escape, and when appreciating, once again, that you a) don't have to shovel the sidewalks, and b) don't have to fight for parking anymore.

Everyone seems to be home, tucked up in bed, asleep, except for me. I just had to grab the camera. I ducked my head out the attic window (in my jammies), turned the flash off, and hoped for the best. I love the rosy glow of the street light against the snow. Look how it shadows the mysterious tracks by the tree trunk and the footprints of the couple that just walked by, hand-in-hand under a pair of umbrellas.

5:00 a.m. update - The only time that texts are welcome at this pre-dawn hour is when they tell you you can go back to bed because YOU FINALLY HAVE A SNOW DAY. I may have been jipped earlier this month, but karma does balance out occasionally.

And no, even though I brought home with me, and could virtually access the office mainframe, I am not working today on my salaried/insured office paperwork. NOT in any way, shape or form.

Snow days mean, crafting, movies, and baking.

Photo of the Day: Scenic Cactus

Snow Canyon, Utah; January 1, 2011

presented without comment or context

Happy 6th Birthday Drew!

Happy 6th Birthday Drew!

I can't believe how big you are getting.

I love that you are becoming a little gentleman. Here you are at your cousin Nathan's May 2010 blessing.
But I also love that you are a little goofy about being photographed, just like your aunt. What a face. Tell us how you really feel.Even though we didn't get to spend a lot of time together in August 2010, it was fun playing with you at Grandmary's new house, pretending to be Iron Man and hide-and-seek. You may wonder why I'm including these photos ... well, you so rarely seem to slow down, I had to document you getting sleepy, and showing your downward-facing-dog pose. (Also, you have a cute little behind my dear!)I hope you had fun staying with me at Grandmary's house for the holidays. Look at you, all snuggled up in your Cars sleeping bag, reading all those books.I do forgive you for beating me at Uno. You are a great card player. One day, little man ... we will have to have a rematch.You are getting so comfortable with technology. It was super cute how you were talking to your dad on the phone on New Year's Eve. Keep calling me as often as you want. I love your phone calls and your many voice messages. Do you know, I have some of yours saved from almost three years ago?!Now that Grandmary and GrumpMax BOTH have laptops with Skype on them, maybe you can talk to me on the computer t.v. more often. Wouldn't that be fun?It was also really fun to go hiking with you in Snow Canyon on New Year's Day. What a great way to start out 2011.I really love how fearless and energetic you are, you little mountain goat, even if you make me feel really old and out of shape. Never lose that joy of exploration. There are so many adventures for you, around every bend.Finally, even though sometimes you can seem like an Irritator dinosaur to them,know that your parents love you, so very very much. You are their blessing and their joy.

Happy Birthday, my Drewbug,

Xo,

Auntie Nettie

p.s. I love these little videos.

c. May 2010, playing around in the backseat, you thought I was taking photos.

c. August 2010, reading your Primary talk to Grandmary and GrumpaMax