Welcome to DreamChallenge

Having a dream to share my knitting creations, cooking adventures and caregiving stories with others is now a reality. I bet you know someone right now who is at home taking care of someone they love. A phone call, e-mail, note card or some food would all be appreciated. Sometimes an offer to stand in for that person is a wonderful gift. Think about getting a hair cut, what if there is no time or person to sit with your loved one? What can you do to help someone else, or if you are that caregiver, how can you get people to understand you would like to see them or have their help? Knitting helps me stay calm. Knitting helps my blood pressure stay normal. What helps you? Cooking is an adventure for me. My husband is a dedicated 'clean-up' person. Join us on this part of our life's journey.

Choosing to send out cards is one way I stay in touch with others. I address cards on Sunday and my husband puts them in the mail on Monday. There is always someone who needs a card.

After several months of blogging there is a reality that lots of people really enjoy this activity. Positively delightful people, living life to the best of their ability. There is such fun in hearing from others who have ideas, stories, crafts all to share with those who choose to read. Thank you my new friends in this unknown world/way of communicating.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Grow My Blog

GROW YOUR BLOG PARTY
WELCOME
 
The love of my Life, dedicated Christian, cancer survivor (10 years and counting), bed partner (most nights), gardner, shopper, geologist, hiker and dry sense of humor husband, Bob.  He and I both love to read and be outdoors.  We live in Ohio on a family owned piece of property that used to be our "camp" and summer retreat. 
This is what we call the Front Entrance.  Bob has collected all those stones from our river bank.
Here I am enjoying two of my favorite activities:  knitting and sitting near the Ohio river in the sunshine with my Vera Bradley bag of knitting accessories.  Our host, Ms. Vicki, gave me the Vera Bradley bag years ago and it has literally accompanied us all around the world holding my project of the day.  
I Appreciate all my followers and will be happy to follow you as we
'Grow our Blogs' together.   
Most of us really enjoy owning items that others make with their 'labor of love", so here is mine.  Its a lovely soft washable neck scarf.  If you want to loop it, I have knitted a button hole on one side so you may loop one side through and keep the scarf in place.  The ladies (girls) may want to add the flower.  It simply ties onto the scarf. 
Now for you guys out their in blog land, you may want to untie the flower and wear the scarf without the flower.  (Then where you get tired of it -because it will not wear out for many years - you may retie the flower and give it away.)
We have a glass factor near our home, Blenko, in Milton WV.  The little orange Blenko vase is holding my treasure of pheseant feathers from North Dakota.  One of our neighbors brings me one feather each year.  They are so soft and comforting.
Another neighbor has an active little two year old.  Another love of my life.  She will be picking the winner for this lovely scarf.  Just leave me a note and you will be entered. 
So how did I get into knitting???? Well, my bed partner was diagonised with lymphonia in 2002.  What????he is a runner.  I cook healthy because nutrition is my professional life work.  Not possible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Of course, the biopsy and test don't lie and we began the battle to overcome this dreadful cancer. 
A friend came to the hospital as I sat by Bob's bedside, she sat with me and taught me to knit.  Yes it took a couple of days, so she came back.  This hat and the previous scarf were both for those in the battle.
Items I love include my life long baby dolls.  This little girl has the most beautiful eyes and she is wearing her original dress.  What??????????? That's right.  OH yes, she and I spent many hours together, but she had lots of home made clothes (Thanks Mom) and this little dress was her "Sunday Outfit".  The hat goes with the sweater below.  One of my favorite sweater patterns.  Our host also gave me the pattern.  I love that woman and her gardner and you will too if you do not already.
Bob was enjoying the sunshine and newspaper on Mom's patio.  See "her kitty" (its really the neighbors, but don't tell.  Mom feeds her).  Bob is holding a pull- over sweater I made for our nephews first birthday.  Love the yarn.
I made this little creation for our neiighbor's granddaughter.  The same one who will be drawing one of your names for the lovely scarf.  The ruffle on the bottom is the only difference between this one and the gray sweater.  We are LONG STANDING MARSHALL UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL FANS.  Thus the green and white color.
Red, one of my favorite colors and about half of my closet is filled with red items.  The sweater was made for a friend who waited years for her boy to arrive.  This is the most difficult sweat I have ever made, but worth the hours.  I prayed so much for this child.  He is now a healthy young 'get into everything' two year old.
Our girls!  Love them.  Intelligent, happy and they love us.  Daughter both educated with Master's degrees (yes, as an educator, thats impt. to me).  Granddaughters are such fun.  This picture was taken at the Biltmore in Ashville, NC.  They met Bob and I their for my birthday lunch.
Bob and I both love gardens.  He plants and I cook.  These peas were delicious.  The little girls like to eat them right from the pods.
Going home from the hospital.  Yes, little Sophia was a healthy big baby.  Honoring me in this way was such a blessing.  As you can see, she will be able to wear the sweater as she grows.  The sleeves are rolled up.
Here she is:  Mom.  The woman in my life who taught me that life is not always easy, but sure worth the effort.  She loves life.  Knows more news that I do on an everyday basis.  She loved to garden, cook, can, sew, crochet and play BINGO.  She is wearing a scarf I made from yarn I purchased in Russia.  Our host and I found yarn in Russia.  Are you surprised???  My nephew gave this beautiiful creation to his girlfriend.
Making baby cacoons was a phase.  That's over, but I still have one left in my Etsy shop.  Stop by if you have time or need a lovely hand made item: 
 
Thank you for traveling with me through my pictures.  I wish for you happy blogging.
 
 

37 comments:

  1. wow, so creative. i know several folks that are breast cancer survivors so that scarf is just so lovely. i hope you will stop by my blog soon. wishing you a great weekend. please enter me into your giveaway. take care. big big hugs. ( :

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  2. Wonderful pictures and story. Beautiful knitting projects.

    I am also a knitter and I am a caregiver - for my elderly mother. We have some similar life experiences.

    Stop by my blog and take a peak. Cheers.

    Elaine
    retiredknitter@gmail.com
    http://mynext20yearsofliving.blogspot.com

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  3. New Follower! Great to meet you!

    Tiffany
    www.pinkfaithtoday.blogspot.com

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  4. Lovely blog! You visited my blog earlier and I'm happy to meet you! We love the outdoors as well and are great admirers of your knitting skills. Especially love the way you treasure the children in your life <3. Looking forward to reading more posts in the future and getting to know you!

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  5. I got myself one of those "teach yourself to knit" books one time, yeah, didn't work. But I do cross stitch :) I look forward to following you and getting to know you and maybe even winning that lovely scarf!!
    http://stitchcrazy1.blogspot.com/

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  6. Great scarf!! Fingers crossed that I win. I love knitting! Enjoy blog hopping!!!

    -Jade @ www.muffinteahouse.com

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  7. Loved reading your blog! I am really enjoying the Blog Party. And your knitting is wonderful...I love all the pics you posted. Now I love to knit. However, I'm not all that great at it. So, I would love to be included in your giveaway! BLOG ON. I am now a follower. Hope you'll visit me back. Aloha

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  8. I love all your knitting photos so I've joined to follow your blog. Best wishes.

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  9. What a good person you are. Carers have a tough time of it and are in desperate need of nurturing. Let me know how the dream challenge goes. I have my own new plan. I might want to write about you as you are doing something beautiful. I hope you have time to check me out.

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  10. Well I already love you and feel like I could give you a big hug :)

    I sure do love your blog and all your wonderful
    knitted creations.

    I am looking forward to visiting on a regular basis :)

    take care,
    ~Diane

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  11. Hope you come by your work is great
    and the blog is so nice.
    Laura

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  12. Have enjoyed visiting your blog. You have many gorgeous knitted pieces - very pretty.

    Thank you the chance to win the scarf. :)

    blessings, denise :D
    http://tomorrowstreasurestoday.blogspot.com/

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  13. I loved reading your story and will be folowing your blog! Your work is beautiful!

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  14. You have a lovely blog. I'm a new follower and participant of 'Grow your Blog'. Have fun at the party!
    Evalina, This and that...

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  15. Hi! I'm Patrice. I'm your newest follower from the Grow Your Blog Hop. I hope you will come visit my blog, Everyday Ruralty (www.everydayruralty.com).

    I would like to extend an invitation to you to my Tuesday blog hop called "Chats on the Farmhouse Porch". I post 5 questions and everyone links their own post with the answers to mine. Then, the fun part, we go visit each other's blogs. After 76 weeks of this, we have built a small, friendly community. Bloggers drop in and drop out, but there is a core of lovely women who are there each week offering each other friendship and encouragement. I hope you will stop in and check it out.By the way, I knit, but I'm really rather new at it.

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  17. I love seeing the pretty little things you've knitted. Please enter me for your sweet giveaway

    Thank you
    Lesley

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  18. Lovely. I came here from Vicki's party, still going strong. Do stop by my blog too and enter the giveaway. See you there.

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  19. Beautiful blog! so nice to meet you via GYB

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  20. Your blog is really interesting. This Grow Your Blog Party is great. I have clicked to be a follower.

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  21. Thank you for stopping b y Girasole Farm via GYB.
    Your knitting is just beautiful, a piece of art.
    My Grammy used to knit for me, both as a child and as an adult. She left this world a few years ago. I treasure every piece she ever made for me.
    I'll be following along, and look forward to getting to know you better.
    A kindered spirit-
    Hugs- Becka @ Girasole Farm

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  22. Found your blog thru the party. Enjoyed reading it. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Linda

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  23. A very fun blog - will sign up as a follower! Thanks for the intro - your knitting is beautiful. Here's hoping for the scarf! Visiting with Vicki. kareninkenai@gmail.com (www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com) or (www.karendorcas.com)

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  24. I sure hope your mom continues to be well. That would be scary to all of a sudden not be able to get around. I think I saw you and Bob on Vicki's blog before, right? My MIL died of cancer nearly 8 years ago. I sat many times by her bedside with my crochet while my FIL took time to go run errands in the evening. Glad to hear Bob is going strong. I'm reading The China Study now. I definitely believe that our changing food system is a very big problem when it comes to health but so many don't seem to think about what they are doing to their bodies. Have a great week. Tammy

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  25. So nice to meet you!I am in Ohio also!Hope you are staying warm!!!!!

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  26. Nice to meet you at the party!
    Beautiful blog and lovely post!!...
    Cheers!!

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  27. ,,,this is becoming a fun experience,, thanks for letting me stop by..thanks for the opportunity at your blog candy..
    mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

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  28. What a nice thoughtful gesture to send cards regularly to those who are needing "a warm fuzzy" I'm visiting on the GYBP hope you'll visit me too. mcreatesdaily.blogspot.com and preciouscottage.blogspot.com

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  29. Visiting from the GYB party and it's nice to meet so many people, most that are so crafty it puts me to shame. Your knitted items are lovely, love the hat on the doll and scarf on your mom.

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  30. Your blog really touched me. Thank you for sharing your personal challenges and triumphs. Your knitting is really beautiful. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a sweet comment. I am a new follower too! -Derrith

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  31. So nice to meet you, fellow knitter! Your work is just lovely! Hope you will stop by and visit me sometime.

    Hugs,
    Terri

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  32. So nice to meet you, your knitting is lovely and a God given talent.Enjoy the blog visiting and I'll return for more visits.
    Hugs Marilou

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  33. Hello there and so nice to meet you! I am here from the Blog Party and you stopped by my blog and left me a sweet comment and thank you for following me and I am now following your lovely blog too!

    Your knitting is exquisite and I so wished I knew how to knit as I really want to learn! There is a shop in town that teaches knitting and I may have to join it sometime.

    Your story about your husband and care taking touched my heart. You have both been through a lot. We just never know. My prayers are with you ♥

    I can't wait to read more of your blog and see more of your pretties! The Give-Away is outstanding!

    sandy
    @french laundry 132

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  34. Dearest Jan-- I'm so delighted to see your blog followers growing!!
    Vicki

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  35. Hello, Jan ... I am here because of Grow Your Blog by our dearest mutual friend, Vicki. Is she not just the best ever? I've seen your pictures on her blog for several years now ... and now you and I are "friends" as well. It's nice to get to know you!
    Signed: SuZeQ

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  36. Hi Jan, lovely to meet you! I am here from the GYBlog Party and I am slowly making my way through all the wonderful sites. I'm a new follower Jan and I'm so glad I stopped by to say hello.

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  37. Hi Grammy; I love reading about your life. You are so interesting..love you, Sophia

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