Maureen O'Hara--

One of Hollywood's great actress has died. Maureen O'Hara passed away on Saturday, October 24th, 2015. She was one of my favorite actresses. At birth, she was named Maureen FitzSimons. She was born on Aug. 17, 1920, in Ranelagh, Ireland, on the outskirts of Dublin. She was the second of six children of Charles FitzSimons, a clothing-business manager and part-owner of a soccer team, and the former Marguerita Lilburn, a singer. Maureen began appearing in school plays as a child and was accepted as a student at the Abbey Theater in Dublin when she was 14. Actor Charles Laughton convinced her to take the stage name of O'Hara because he claimed that "nobody would ever get [FitzSimons] straight."

Movies she starred in included “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), in which she played the haunted Gypsy girl Esmeralda to Charles Laughton’s Quasimodo; the Oscar-winning “How Green Was My Valley” (1941), in which she was memorable as a Welsh mining family’s beautiful daughter who marries the wrong man; “This Land Is Mine” (1943), a war drama in which she was directed by Jean Renoir; and “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947), the holiday classic in which she played a cynical, modern Macy’s executive who tries to prevent her daughter from believing in Santa Claus. My all time favorite movie of her's was "McLintock" (1963) with John Wayne. Other movies include:

• The Quiet Man (1952)
• Miracle on 34th Street (1947)
• The Black Swan (1942)
• Rio Grande (1950)
• Our Man in Havana (1959)
• Parent Trap (1961)
• The Christmas Box (1995)
• Only the Lonely (1991)

I have tried to find links to watch the above movies for free. A few I was only able to find trailers for. 

She wrote an autobiography, 'Tis Herself: An Autobiography that came out in 2005. Other books about her include "Maureen O'Hara Unauthorized & Uncensored," and Maureen O'Hara: The Biography (Screen Classics).

For more online reading, you  may be interested in:

• http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27429621
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maureen_O%27Hara
• http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/25/maureen-ohara
• http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/25/movies/maureen-ohara-irish-born-actress-known-as-queen-of-technicolor-dies-at-95.html?_r=0
• http://www.nbcnews.com/news/photo/maureen-ohara-irish-stars-life-pictures-n450891

The world has lost one of the few remaining great thespians. Rest in peace Ms. O'Hara.

Sharon

Oh My Goodness--

Early, early this morning when I mentioned the interesting tidbit about being related to Cinderella, I wasn't thinking about the new Cinderella movie. My great great Grandmother Cinderella married a Mr. Madden and in the movie, Prince Charming aka Richard MADDEN married Cinderella. WOW, what a coincidence!

Cinderella Costume

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (26 October 2015)

Keeping with my plan to post Christmasy pattern links, today we have a link to a Christmas tree skirt.  I need to make one of these too although, I don't have the time right now because I have a gazillion things going on not to mention getting side-tracked with the family genealogy. I almost forgot to post a pattern because I've been glued to my computer looking up my ancestors so it's all those old guys fault that I'm forgetful. ;)

I don't know if I've ever put in my blog that I'm related to Cinderella. Yes, it is true. Cinderella was my great great grandmother. Her maiden name was Pell and her married name was Madden. Her husband wasn't Prince Charming though; he went through 4 wives.

I stayed up all night so now it's time for a nap to get me through the day.

Later,

Sharon

Cinderella movie now at Amazon

What 2 skeins of Yarn Makes

I almost forgot that I usually make my doctors at the VA something small for Christmas. Because I'm leaving the state in a few weeks I had to quickly revise my Christmas crochet list. I made slippers for them but had extra yarn left. If you've ever used the pattern I use to make slippers, you know you need 2 skeins because the slippers are double stranded. Here's a look out of what I made out of just 2 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver.

With 2 skeins of this:

I ended up with 2 pairs of slippers:

This hat designed by Kim Guzman:

This hat called "Rubylene":

And a little bit of left-overs to use in granny squares:

My Christmas to-do crochet list is about finished. It has been modified quite a few times and I've "snuck" a few projects in between Christmas projects to put some variety in my hooking.

This is it for now. 

Best wishes to all...

Sharon

Amazon Fire TV

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (19 October 2015)

We've been holding off turning the furnace on. It's nice not having to run the furnace or the air conditioner and pay the big utility bills but, after sleeping with the down comforter and another blanket, we decided it was time to crank up the ol' furnace. This is also the time of the year that my afghans get used a lot so, for today's free pattern I give to you a link to the Christmas Wreath Throw.  It is classified as an easy pattern but nonetheless, it is very stylish.

It is hard for me to believe that Christmas is coming so soon. I mean it comes on the same date every year but the older I get, the quicker it comes. This is quite unlike the Christmases of my youth when they appeared to take 4-5 years to come around! Life is strange, seems like time goes so fast now that I'm in my 50s. 

This is it for now folks. Hoping y'all are warm and cozy.

Hugs,
Sharon





Fire Tablet 7" Display, Wi-Fi, 8 GB Under $50!

Just Off My Hook

I finished the last pair of women's slippers for Christmas the other night. With the leftover yarn, I made a slouchy hat. This hat pattern is by Kim Guzman, one of my favorite designers.

Pattern

Pattern

I am making a comfort food supper tonight. We're having sausage gravy and biscuits. Definitely not high on the healthy eating scale but it is a cold weather favorite that we have a few times during the cold months. After supper is out of the way, we head into the family room to watch a bit of TV and I get my crochet fix in. I'll be under an afghan of course. Hubby goes to bed earlier than I do so after that happens, Nellie Belle comes over to me and we both make use of the afghan. She has to be the last one to bed so she doesn't miss anything the nosey little wench!

That's all for now folks, 

Sharon

Boye 4-in-1 Crochet Hook Tool

Charity Lapghan Finished

Finished this lapghan for charity donation last night. So happy to be finished with these squares. You may remember, that I received many of these squares from a thrift store. I made a few more with the yarn that was included with the squares. I have a problem with determining what size hook to use when I pick up someone else's project to work on. I think that my hook might have been a little too big because there is a slight wave to the sides. I minimized this once I noticed it by doing every few corners DC CH2 DC. This took away most of the wave quickly. So here's the pic:

This is all I have for now.

"Talk" to you later,
Sharon

Adult coloring books

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (12 October 2015)

It's just about the middle of October and before you know it, Christmas will be here. I plan to post Christmasy patterns the next few weeks to give you, and me, ideas.

Today's link to a free pattern is to Funky Santa. This is a cute, Santa doll done in nontraditional colors. This is a cute decorative item or a toy. I am almost done with Christmas crocheting yea! I am working on some small projects in between the last few Christmas gifts I have left to make to keep the crochet mojo going.

This is all I have for now. Hope you're doing well. Hugs,

Sharon

Santa Dolls--Decorative, Toys or for Crafts

For a while, my blogger font was small when I was using a "normal" size font when I typed a post. If I tried to resize it to "large" it was too large. After some playing around and googling for some answers, I figured it out. It was very simple fix. I put together this slide show to show you how easy it is to correct this problem

After thinking about it for a while, I may have unknowingly made some changes to the font when I "redecorated" my blog. Oops!!! Don't know for sure though.

Hope this may help you out and save some time if you run into this problem.

Hugs,

Sharon

Just Playing Around with Genealogy

Last night, I went and became a paid member of Ancestry. Since I had a DNA test done through their site, I could only have a 2 way dialog with my matches if I became a paid member. There was a special on for $49 for 6 months so I joined. One thing about Ancestry, it seems as if the price of membership depends on the page you find yourself on. I may be wrong, maybe the price changed after midnight or something.

I found a couple black sheep! They were on my family tree already but I did not know that they were crooks. It was my great grandfather through my dad's side of the family. He robbed his own father!

Click to easily read:

Clipped from Alton Telegraph, 7 June 1872, Page 3

I always had funny feelings about this branch of the family. Charles was divorced from his first wife. Two of his children from the first marriage were fostered out and allegedly their foster parents hot footed it to California with the children without notice or permission. His daughter from a later marriage (my grandmother) was vehemently opposed to divorce. Charles's father Jacob was a very prosperous farmer and ordained Baptist minister. He also dabbled in politics and ran for school superintendent. He had 16 children and outlived 4 wives, In my childhood, I remember family members talk about a pioneer in the family migrating to Illinois from Tennessee with a new bride and a new mule.

I decided to see if I could fill in some blanks in my husband's genealogy. There is an eBook that has his genealogy from his grandmother back to the the Cherokee connection of Gosaduisga born in 1750. As a young man, hubby's great grandfather Joseph Adam Mitchell went to prison at Leavenworth for breaking in to a warehouse and stealing a variety of items from canned peaches to gold watch chains. Here's his mug shot that I had to use my camera to take a picture of the kindle image. You have to feel sorry for Joseph in a way because his mother died when he was 9 and his stepfather abandoned him and his sister. The kids hunted and cooked small birds until they were placed in an orphanage.

That's all for now folks!

Sharon

Book: The Franklin Reed Mitchell Family of Adair County, Oklahoma

Christmas Stocking Finished

This stocking was lolling around for several weeks minus toes and cuff. Last night I finally finished it.

This is similar to another stocking I made. The other one has red heels.  I think this one might be mine and I will fill it up with goodies for me. I was wondering, am I the only person who fills their own Christmas stocking with goodies?

This is an easy pattern. This is my 3rd time using it. I have 1 more stocking to make.

That's all folks!

Hugs,

Sharon


Assorted Christmas Yarns

2 Pairs of Men's Slipper Socks.

Here are a couple more pairs of men's slippers that I've finished for Christmas gifts. I'm in like with the brown pair.

Pattern

Nothing exciting going on around here. We're trying to get caught up with our "chores" before we leave next month and that's not exciting at all!

Take care everyone,

Sharon

Boye 4-in-1 Crochet Hook Tool, Blue

A Zippy Loomed Scarf

I recently saw a neat looking gadget when I was at Michaels. It is a loom that looks like a comb for a cartoon giant.

I brought it home and started to make a scarf with it. The problem was that the scarf came out rather thin and that didn't seem right since I was using 2 strands of super bulky weight yarn (6). I read a bit more in the instructions and discovered that I could buy another loom and there is a way to connect 2 or more of them together. A few days later I grabbed my purse and another coupon for 40% off and headed back to Michaels. Now I was in business.

Utilizing 6 pegs, I used the e-wrap stitch which is very similar to writing a cursive "e" (another good reason to continue teaching cursive handwriting in schools). I may have gotten a little carried away with the length but that's ok because many women like longer scarves.

Close up:

The yarn I used was Bernat Blanket yarn in vintage white and countryside (off white, gray, blue). I like this scarf but alas it's not for me and it's in the gift drawer for a special person at some other time.

Guess this is it for now. Hope y'all are having a great week.

Sharon


Zippy Loom

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (05 October 2015)

The weather in Kentucky is getting cooler, almost cold as a matter of fact. I'm snugging under afghans in the evening when we kick back in the family room to watch a little television and crochet (me, not hubby). I thought that I would find an afghan pattern to share with you today. I picked this Crazy Ripple pattern because crocheters say that it is easy to make and also because there is so much variety in what you can do with color.

I'm thinking about doing something special here after I get settled in Florida next month. I'll be giving it some thought and I'll let you know.

Stay warm!

Sharon

Red Heart E302B.0313 Super Saver Jumbo Yarn, Aran

Vintage Look Hawaiian T-shirt for Dog

Letting You Know...

I just want to let you know that I found a good sale on yarn at Walmart today. The skeins of yarn in this pile were $1.50 each except for the 2 in the front which were $2.50 each for Homespun and Hometown USA. As you can see, I grabbed a pile of yarn I don't need (right at this moment) to put in my hoard stash.

There might be some bargains left at your Walmart. Selection was pretty slim at the Walmart by us so you might want to hurry if you plan to check it out.

We're gearing up to go back to Florida next month. We have a really great neighbor down there and he  knows home renovation. He is installing the laminate flooring in the kitchen for us. He has torn out and replaced the kitchen drywall and has also installed 2 extra electric outlets where the counters will be. That will be handy with the 2 coffee pots on the counter; I'm not supposed to drink regular coffee and hubby can't stand decaf. Oh, and the old flimsy cabinets are out too so we'll have to bargain shop for some cabinets when we get back down there next month. I figure we can make do with electric skillet, microwave, crock pot and grill for a while and wash dishes in the spare bathroom. To be honest, I loved not having a bunch of "stuff" last winter. Life was a heck of a lot simpler and less stressful.Being a snowbird is great!

I have decided to put off starting my graphghan until after we migrate. Too much planning,organizing and thinking going on right now. I've been slowing "packing" things to take down with us. I might be just a little bit excited about going there. Except for my sons and husband, I don't have any family here so it is great to be by a couple uncles, an aunt and bunches of cousins when we're in Florida. I actually saw most of them only a couple times last winter except for one uncle who lives on his own down there we happily saw quite a bit.

I'm rambling on and on here so it is time for me to sign off.

Hugs,
Sharon 

Happy Wishes on Son's Birthday

 

Matthew, 37 years ago you were born. I finally learned what true love was when I held you in my arms and kissed your little fingers and toes. You were a tiny baby, 18 inches long and only 5 lbs. 14 ounces but you immediately lit up my life. You made me a mother. I am very proud of you. I know life has given you some struggles but you have met your challenges head-on and have become a person that everyone likes and loves. I am so proud to be your mom.

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (28 September 2015)

The other day, a friend sent me a picture of a pattern that is being sold on Craftsy.  It is a cute pattern for a pair of ladies booties with crocodile stitch cuffs but it costs $5.50 for this single pattern. To me, that seems an itty bit pricey when I haven't seen this pattern making it's rounds among the crochet groups I belong to or blogs I follow and I don't know it's reputation. However, I found a very similar FREE version here that might be worth taking a look at.

Have a great week everyone!
Sharon


Lammily Real Life barbie doll Normal body Exclusive First Edition

What I'm Doing

I'm watching this video to learn some tricks on crocheting graphghans. I'm working on a small square that has a graphed picture on it to more or less get the hang of doing it before I start a big graphghan project. For me, it's slow going learning how to do it. I wonder if I'm doing it right because I have a gazillion ends. I need to get back to the ol' videos. I have a little confession to make. There is a stereotype of men not needing the directions on how to do things like how to put together kids toys on Christmas Eve. Well, I'm like that too with some things and if it takes more than a cursory reading then I tend to get frustrated. This time I will see it through! I picked a fairly simple pattern and I will do it, yes I will!

Here's the video:

Charted Picture Afghans (Annie's Attic: Crochet)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (21 September 2015)

Today's link is for a set of patterns for human mommy and furbaby to have coordinating sweaters with a ripple design. Cute, very cute sweaters to make.

Have a great week everyone!

Sharon

His Life Mattered

Yesterday I had to make a quick trip to my credit union to have a new debit card made. On my way there, I noticed the main drag through my town set up for a funeral procession for Kentucky State Trooper Joseph C. Ponder who was killed in the line of duty on 13 September. I felt compelled to find a place to stand and salute him as his body was transported to the cemetery.

Joseph Cameron Ponder, 31, stopped a vehicle that was driving 103 miles per hour on Interstate 24, and the vehicle then took off with Trooper Ponder in pursuit, according to the State Police. After a short chase, the fleeing vehicle stopped suddenly, causing the trooper’s cruiser to “make contact” with the rear of the suspect’s vehicle, the police said.

The gunman then fired several times into the police cruiser, hitting Trooper Ponder, the police said.

The suspect, who was identified as Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks, 25, of Missouri, then ran, the police said. Trooper Ponder was taken to a hospital in Princeton, Ky., where he died shortly before midnight.

Four other people, two of them younger than 6, were in Mr. Johnson-Shanks’s car at the time of the shooting, said Trooper First Class Jay Thomas, a public affairs officer. One of the others, Ambrea R. J. Shanks, 18, was arrested on charges of hindering prosecution or apprehension.

Mr. Johnson-Shanks was found by state troopers in the woods near the highway on Monday morning after an eight-hour manhunt, the police said. Mr. Johnson-Shanks was shot multiple times by the police after he refused to drop his weapon and then aimed it in the troopers’ direction, said Sgt. Michael Webb, the public affairs commander for the Kentucky State Police. Mr. Johnson-Shanks later died at the same hospital in Princeton.

The Kentucky State Police said Trooper Ponder had graduated from the state’s training academy in January and been stationed at the State Police post in Mayfield. He had served as a special Navy diver and been decorated with a Combat Action Ribbon.

He was the second first-year officer with Kentucky’s State Police to die in the line of duty this year. Trooper Eric K. Chrisman was killed in a car accident while on his way to respond to a report of a reckless driver in June.

Gov. Steven L. Beshear said in a statement that Trooper Ponder should be remembered for “how he lived, his selfless service to others and his willingness to give his life for that commitment.”

Mr. Johnson-Shanks lived in Florissant, Mo., and had recent run-ins with law enforcement. Shawn McGuire, a media relations officer with the St. Louis County Police Department, said Mr. Johnson-Shanks was the leading suspect in a May theft of $1,285 in lottery tickets and winnings. Source

Trooper Ponder gave all. His life mattered.