Terrorism Hiding Under the Guise of Religion

Last year, I wrote a blog entry about the infamous Florida minister, Terry Jones. He had planned to burn the Quran (Koran is also accepted spelling) on 11 September and after President Obama asked Rev. Jones not to, he did not carry out his plan until 20 March 2011.


Here's the video of the burning. The entire video shows the flames consuming the Koran. No other real "action" takes place.





This "church" (I use this term loosely) has a hate provoking sign on their lawn that reads "Islam is of the devil." No, reverend, hatred is of the devil. If you visit the church's website, you will note that there are pleas for donations and there are actually items, containing hateful slogans, for sale! Something interesting to note is that the reverend has written a book and he is selling it on the church's website. Perhaps all his hateful, hurtful, cruel actions are a major publicity stunt to make money off of sales of his books and hate paraphernalia.


The following is a short video clip showing a united front of Christians, Muslims, and Jews peacefully protesting the sign on the church's lawn.





After watching these videos and reading some articles about this event, I wonder could Reverend Jones's actions be considered a hate crime or terrorism or both? Something to think about. 


Once again Reverend Jones, I'm praying that you learn what it is to be a Christian. 


I know this isn't my usual type of post.  I feel that we must be aware of what is going on in our world and when evil rears its ugly head we must let it be known that it is unacceptable.

Search Amazon.com for history of religion

Crochet Projects Update:

My Topsy-Turvy doll is taking a break. I got to the point where I was making her arms and it is frustrating to crochet in a continuous round such a small number of stitches; I'm taking a hiatus.

I finished the hooded scarf I started some time ago. It is pretty and I love the yarn I used although it is a major pain to work with. Here's the finished item:

I started making some large purple granny squares--12 rounds. I'm making an afghan for one of my friends. Ssshhh, don't tell her. :) Here's the start of the squares:

I'll be switching back and forth between finishing the doll and this afghan. I have a time limit on the afghan.  Sometimes I quickly burn out. Blogging about a wip that has a strong potential to become a ufo gives me incentive to go back to the project and finish it. 

Good night all...

Search Amazon.com for crochet scarves patterns

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (04 April 2011)

Here's a pattern for a sweet afghan. Enjoy...

Search Amazon.com for afghan patterns

Michael's Coupons

Michael's has several coupons available this week. You can go here and get yours.  Coupons good today until Saturday 09 April.  Have a fun-filled week and Happy Mothers Day to those of you celebrating today.

Topsy-Turvy Doll, Still a WIP

Here are a couple of pics to give you an update on my status with the doll I am making.

In case you missed it in a previous post about this project, this is a pattern from Gourmet Crochet. It is called Topsy-Turvy Doll.  I have a few "goofs" so far. I underestimated the amount of variegated yarn I had on hand so I had to be a bit creative with that.  The variegated yarn ended up being a finer gauge. Also on the variegated portion of the project, I was supposed to crochet some of the rows in the blo but I didn't so I wasn't able to do the ruffles like in the picture. The variegated was what I was going to make the adult doll but now because of the yarn situation I may make that the baby and make a pink collar with a white edge to tie in the hodgepodge of yarns I'm using. If you look at the pattern on Gourmet Crochet you'll see what I mean. Anyway, I like the way the skirt on the pink side flares out--reminds me of a ball gown and yes, I did do quite a bit of improvisation on that too. I'm curious to see how she's going to turn out.  The weekend is almost here and I hope y'all have a great one.

My Blog Won an Award

Clara of Clara's Crochet Room bestowed upon my blog a "Stylish Blogger Award." I'm tickled pink about this. Thank you Clara.

According to the rules, I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself that you might not know. Here we go:

1. I'm 54 and wishing I had grandchildren but no sign of that happening. Son #1 and his wife can't have children and son #2 isn't married and says he doesn't want any because kids cost too much money.

2. My chihuahuas, Opi and Nellie Belle, are my babies. Well, maybe you knew about this.

3. I blog to meet new friends and maybe reconnect with old ones. Actually, I blog for myself too and if others like what I put in my blog that's icing on the cake.

4. I am so hooked on the game Cafe World on Face Book that I have burned my real supper because I was too busy with my online cooking. :(

5. I'm thinking about writing a novel--if I can stay off of the Internet long enough. One of my college professors was so impressed with my thesis that she suggested I enlarge it as a book. Unfortunately for me, someone else wrote on the same topic. So, maybe a fictionalized version might work.

6. I don't mind washing clothes. I'll do it all day long and fold them too. I really loathe putting them away. Sometimes I get spacey though and leave clothes in the washer too long and have to rewash them.

7. Last month, I received my first check from adsense. Wooo Hoooo--took me 14 months for enough readers using the google search box on my blog and clicking on google ads. I was so thrilled.


Now I have to pick some blogs to pass this award on to. I'm picking some different-type blogs that I hope you will enjoy reading.

Some impressive blogs in no particular order:


1. Loom Dude Because his blog has me anxious to finish up some ufos so I can take out the knifty knitters again.

2. Posh Pooch Designs Because she has some awesome free patterns for chihuahua accessories.

3. The Old Jarhead Because he posts articles on current events that show various sides of the issues.

4. Ramblin' Southern Woman Because she's down-to-earth and a nice person with similar tastes in crochet projects.

5. USS Houston CA-30 When I was in college, I wrote my thesis on this ship and her crew. They were sunk during WWII and the crew were held as POWs for the duration of the war. I was impressed by the few survivors I was fortunate to meet and I believe their story needs to be remembered.

6. Butterfly Loom--Another crafty thing I want to do after I finish some ufos. Very good video tutorials for butterfly looming.

7. About Amish--I find this interesting to read because there is a large Amish community close to us. Very detailed information about the Amish from an educated source.

I did not choose Clara's blog only because she just received this award and passed it on to me. Her blog is fantastic and a favorite of mine so please drop in and visit her. I'll be sending out notifications to my selections pdq so if you're in the list know that I will be sending you a notice to pick up your award. Hugs to all of you.

Search Amazon.com for blogging

It's All about Plants

Did any of you grow sweet potato vines when you were a youngster? I did and the other day a friend and I were reminiscing about it. Yesterday when I was at Meijers, I picked up 1 sweet potato to grow one again. I read online that they have the appearance of philodendrons. I was surfing around the Internet looking for suggestions on how to do it and I found this super great site by the University of Illinois called the Great Plant Escape. It is for kids and it's a learning adventure all about plants--sort of a mystery, learning game. I enjoyed clicking through and trying to see how much I remembered from my science classes in days of yore.

I did start a sweet potato vine. Maybe it will even get a vine one of these days.  Here it is:

Y'all have a great week.

Search Amazon.com for organic gardening

First There Was One and Now a Pair

First there was one:

And now a pair:

Here's where you can see the post on the first one I made and there is a link there for the pattern.


Search Amazon.com for doily patterns

Guess What??? The Scammers Called Again

"Card Services" called again. These people are the ones who steal peoples' identities and credit card numbers. I've posted about them many times in the past and reported them to the "Do Not Call List/Registry" every time I receive calls from them. Everytime I get a human on the phone I tell them to not call me again and take my name off their list. For some reason I wasn't able to get a human today. That's ok, the telephone wires might have melted if I was able to give them a piece of my mind again. Anyway, watch out for this number from "caller" 567-248-4400. The numbers that show up on my caller id are different most times.  Here are a couple links where others have had problems with them.
:
http://complaintwire.org/Complaint.aspx/2bbZRCIlqABEXAjLRU6S8Q

http://honeypot.net/scam-calls-card-services

In the past, I've found that the scammers "steal" phone numbers and this may be the case with today's call. See here and here for information on this number.

Here's a video from one news show's report about them, sorry, embedding isn't allowed so you have to go here.

OK, I'm finished here now and I've already filed my report as I was multitasking here. Hope y'all have a good day.

Remember, if "Card Services" calls, they are identity thieves and do NOT give them your credit card number and do NOT give them your Social Security Number.

Progress on Topsy-Turvy Doll

Just thought I'd post pictures on my topsy-turvy doll. It's slow going; but then the first time I make a project always seems to take longer. Problems I've had so far is that the pattern and I don't agree on what is the front loop and what is the back loop so I've had to do some creative adaptations instead of frogging. So, here's the pictures:

This will be the baby doll side. 

This is the other doll side--skirt is done.

My friend told me that this was a "ying-yang doll." :)

Photoworks Shutting Down

I had forgotten that I had stored some photos on Photoworks. I had an email that I almost deleted as junk info-ing me that they were shutting down so I could transfer my photos over to Shutterfly for free and store for free there too. I thought that I would let y'all know about this in case you had some photos on Photoworks. Have a great week everyone!

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (28 March 2011)

Here's a cute baby bunting. You may have to be a member to access the pattern but it is a reliable, legitimate site (Bernat) so go ahead and register. Definitely a cute item for a baby.

Search Amazon.com for baby bunting patterns

Free E-Book Cook Book

Just wanted to post this link so you can get your free cookbook for some copycat recipes for a few chain restaurants like Olive Garden and Paneras. Their version of Olive Garden's Black Tie Mousse Cake sounds delicious!

Famous Restaurant Recipes: Copycat Versions Of America's Favorite Restaurant Dishes

Look at this Crazy Weather--

It's been windy outside today and then suddenly there is this pinging noise. I looked outside and it's hailing like crazy! Here's a few pics:

I Decided on a Crochet Project

After hemming and hawing and going through patterns online, patterns on my computer and patterns in my stash, I finally decided on a project. I did decided to go ahead with the Topsy Turvy Doll from Gourmet Crochet. I dug up some odds and ends of left-over yarns to use so this is a small stash buster project. I did decided to use a smaller hook (E) for the doll because 1--I'm a loose crocheter and 2--I want to be sure I don't run out of one of my yarns in the middle of the project. I'm pretty sure that I have enough except the variegated that I'm going to use on the dress. Fingers are crossed.  I only finished one of the doll's heads. So, this is my work-in-progress aka WIP for Wednesday. If you click on the button at the bottom under the picture you can see what some others are up to.

What to Do...?

I'm looking at the ufos sitting by my corner of the couch and I don't want to work on any of them. I've been looking online at crochet patterns and looking at my stash of patterns. Nothing appeals to me right now. I want to do something though. Guess I'll flip through some more pages of a few of my pattern books and maybe something will appeal. I know I should work on a ufo, even if I weave in the ends on the dishcloth that has been sitting here for sometime. I pulled out my pattern from Gourmet Crochet for their Topsy-Turvy Doll, maybe that's my next project. Stay tuned....

Search Amazon.com for crochet doll pattern

This Was a Quick Project

On Mondays, I put a link to a free pattern. This weeks pattern was for a doily out of ww yarn. I had some ww cotton here from Hobby Lobby so I thought I'd give it a whirl. In just a little over an hour, I was finished. I really like this pattern and I think I'm going to make more. Thanks for stopping in.

Search Amazon.com for doily patterns

More Slippers

Here's a pair of ladies slippers that I just finished. It was so nice to be able to sit on the patio and make them. Spring is in the air!

Do You Have a Pet Peeve?

I have a pet peeve and I was just reading something on another blog related to this. I am deaf in my left ear and hard of hearing in my right. Often when I have a conversation with someone I don't know very well or just met, I will have to ask them to repeat what they said or I will restate what I think they said. It is important to me what people said to me not only for my sake but also because I value what they have to say. The peeve part comes in when I've asked people to repeat what they've said and explain that I'm hard of hearing and I've been told many, many times "that's ok" or "never mind." I DO mind. I don't like to be outside of the loop and I'm not stupid (I had an IQ test once so I know there is a bit of active gray matter up stairs). My suggestions are that during conversations, look at the person you are speaking to. I think most of us were taught that this was good manners when we were youngsters. Speak plainly--don't mumble or speak softly. If there is a lot of background noise, go to a quieter area for conversation. Don't roll your eyes or get an exasperated look on your face when asked to repeat what you said--that is so very demeaning to the hard of hearing person.  Most of this is just good manners and not only a consideration for a hard of hearing person. Don't feel sorry for a hard of hearing person because there are some advantages--I'm able to sleep through my husband's freight-train-like snoring! Take care y'all and have a nice week. :)

Monday's Link to Free Crochet Pattern (21 March 2011)

Here's a cute doily made from yarn for those of you (like me) who like doilies but find the thread hard to work with.

Search Amazon.com for doily pattern