Disney Dream, image by The Walt Disney Company

Our actual 10th anniversary gift, otherwise known as Elly, will be coming with us because I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her behind.

I started the practice because I couldn’t find a way to preserve the Home Blessing that Dan’s grandmother held so dear. She had saved the blessing for years, but the paper that it was written on had seen better days. Unable to find the blessing for sale anywhere, I took matters into my own hands. (Darn if I can find a picture of it though).

I had taught myself how to do calligraphy years ago so that I could address our wedding invitations. Surprisingly, my hand remembered how to make many lowercase letters in the Old English alphabet. The uppercase letters required more practice.

This past Christmas, I transcribed an excerpt of Billy Collin’s Question About Angels poem for my aunt who loves angels.

She told me recently how much she enjoys the poem and how much she appreciated all the work I put into it.

I didn’t need the praise. I truly enjoy doing calligraphy.

With 3 (yes 3) weddings coming up this year, I wanted to find a poem about marriage that I could transcribe for the happy couples. I searched through my favorite poetry books and came up empty.

Most of the poems about love that I found were from a man’s perspective written to a woman. I want the poem to be for both the bride and the groom.

There is the traditional “Love is kind and etc” but I was hoping for something a bit more modern, unique and fun. Any ideas?

Maybe I should look to a novel and pull an excerpt out. Unfortunately, I’m drawing a blank. I don’t often never read romance books.  Can you recommended any good books where marriage is a theme (and a good one)?

“For me”? Asked Elly in amazement
“Yes, for you” I said.
This response elicited a huge grin.

“More candles” begged Elly.

“I blew out the candles. Oh, hooray!” said Elly.

Elly started this year off in babyhood and somewhere along the way she grew up and became a sweet little girl. I’m not sure when exactly it happened.

Thank goodness I took a few hundred pictures.

Shortly after her birthday, we took Elly to Mexico.

She learned to walk and to open sliding glass doors.

We learned to lock sliding glass doors.

A month later and Elly could be found outside in the yard with Mommy helping with the spring cleaning.

At 14 months, she started being able to reach things we didn’t think she would be able to reach for months (hopefully years).

Case in point, she was thrilled to be able to reach her favorite food, Cheerios, and pour them all around her.

Thanks to Jake, she loved to put sticks and rocks in her mouth. See this pretty picture of her?

She has a rock in her mouth.
I would love to report that she has grown out of this stage, but alas no. She still loves the feel of rocks in her mouth. At least she no longer tries to chew on sticks like Jake.

At 15 months old, Elly fell in love with the local playgrounds thanks in part to watching older kids.


The swing remains her favorite part about the playgrounds.

Summer had arrived by the time Elly was 16 months old. After seeing a water table at a friend’s birthday party, we knew we had to get Elly one.


It was great until she learned how to climb on top of it a short month later.

Parties dominated her 17th month.
Get-together at Granny’s house:

July 4th party at home:

When Elly was 1.5 years old, Dan went to Las Vegas with the boys. (No questions were asked upon his return. grin). Granny stayed with us for a few days and we had a great time.

We took Elly to the local Weavers Orchard where she got to feed the animals.

At 19 months old, I introduced Elly to play dough.

I don’t know why I waited so long. It’s still one of her favorite craft activities.

At 20 months old, we hosted our 2nd annual Apple Festival. (We hope to make this a tradition).


(Poor Elly had smacked her head on the marble floors at the local mall a day before).

Days before Halloween, it snowed!


Last year, she thought the snow was too cold. This year, she loved it.

And on Halloween, we dressed Elly up as Stitch though we did not take her trick-or-treating. She was sick.

At 21 months old, Elly was fascinated with Fall clean-up.

Oh, how she loved playing in the leaves!

But perhaps not as much as she loved playing with her Uncle Matt at Thanksgiving!

In December, Elly came with us as we attended a wedding of dear friends in Philadelphia and visited Dan’s sister and brother in New York City.

Mike and Arecia’s Wedding

Elly’s 1st trip to NYC

Then, of course, came Christmas. Elly was 22 months old. Though she wouldn’t sit on Santa’s lap at the mall, she shouted out everytime she saw him. (She still does. Any old man sporting a full white beard is Santa. Fair warning).

Christmas 2011

In January, Elly (23 months old) overcame her fear of bounce houses.

b

Happy Birthday, my Poppet. I love you.

To see all 255 pictures of Elly’s life as a 1-year-old, click on the album below.

Elizabeth, Age 1

He’s a realist and terribly practical to boot. How is that any fun?

Want to see how far along I’ve come on my long scarf?

(Can you tell she’s my daughter? A little bit more dexterity in her hands and I’m going to have another knitter in the household).

Well, maybe there is some basis to Dan’s belief.

It is a short row scarf, titled Self-Twist Scarf. I received the pattern at the Pottstown Knit Out. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the exact pattern on Ravelry to share with you. But, this one looks similar.

I am knitting it in Malabrigo’s Worsted Merino verde, a lovely dark green.

I won.

A quick search on the internet found instructions on eHow.

Perhaps reupholstering the chair would have been easier, but if I staple the new fabric on I can kiss goodbye the ability of ever washing it. Light colored fabric coupled with a small child makes washing a necessity.

The hard part will come when I try to shove the new cushion back into the attached fabric of the chair, but I’m a determined gal.

An eagle eye will notice that the muslim cover to the seat cushion has an error. Read more about it here.

Probably not.

Yet, I’m thrilled to have found a moment in each day where I can knit a few rows. Why I just might finish the hexagon blanket before Elly’s 5th birthday.  Don’t hold your breath though.

The doors are painted.

The drawers are painted.

The hardware is the same. I just cleaned them up.

Next up are the cabinets doors.

It came with the house. I didn’t pick that fabric out.

When removing the current cover on the seat cushion, I noticed the horrible yellow staining and massive deterioration. Thus, the first step was to make a new seat cushion.

Of course, Elly helped.

First, I cut out a new cushion from the giant roll of foam I ordered from Joann. (I used a coupon to cut the price way down). Next, we decorated the foam with markers.

Afterwards, I wrapped the foam in two layers of low loft batting and then whip stitched it closed.

The difference is amazing. This might be the most comfortable chair in our house now.

I arrived minutes before my class started, giving the organizers a bit of a scare. But, I couldn’t resist taking Elly out in the snow. Once outside, I noticed my 91-year-old neighbor’s walkway had not been shoveled. Refusing to let her do it herself, I took my helpers over to clear her sidewalk and driveway.

I will no longer roll my eyes when Dan informs me he really wants to buy a snow blower. Shoveling snow is hard work! I fully support his decision now.

Back to my story of the Knit Out …. My class went great. All attendees agreed that charts finally made sense. It gave me such a great feeling.

Knowing I barely have time to knit these days, I did not buy any of the gorgeous yarns seen. Instead I bought me a new knitting bag.

Isn’t it wonderful? It’s handmade by Ruth Raisner. Get your Phillies bag here.

Go Phillies!