DeStash-ing

Have you heard about the DeStash blog? Well why not! Susan and Teri have put together a great site that is just wonderful!



This morning I listed 3 skeins of Lorna Lace’s sock yarn and within 6 hours they were sold. Can’t beat that for a great day. The skeins were kid-friendly colors that didn’t exactly agree to with my 50’s+ style. I actually got them on sale at a yarn shop that was closing. So, they have a new home, I recouped my cost and I’m totally thrilled.

Now I’m looking through my stash to find some more things that need new homes. I have some Noro Silk Garden, some wool lace yarn .. hmmm… have to get listing! Go take a look!

Till later ~~ Dene

E is for ...

The Episcopal Church

My church family is a very important part of my life and I’m dedicating the letter E to Church of the Good Shepherd Anglican/Episcopal Church in Tomball, Texas. I became part of this family last September and I strongly believe that God has a plan for my life. What it is, I’m not sure yet .. LOL. We are participating in Rick Warren’s 40 Days of Purpose series so we will see what things I can get into.

I became Episcopalian in 1979 when my Mother-in-law drove me crazy enough that I escaped to church one Sunday just to get away. This was All Saints Episcopal in Baytown, Texas and my daughter was just 4 months old. We baptized her later that year on All Saints Day and my son was also baptized there 3 years later. Unfortunately, that church no longer exists which tears at my heart. We changed churches when we moved to Houston in 1984.

Good Shepherd has welcomed us whole heartedly and we have made many friends. I spent part of last weekend on a women’s retreat and it was just glorious. Beautiful cool weather, ranch B&B with a neat cabin, and bluebonnets blooming everywhere. It was great to get away and enjoy God’s majesty.

Till Later ~~ Dene

D is for Dogs

D is for Dogs

I’m so far behind in posting my ABC along! Everyone else is on G and here I am still on D. *sigh*

Anyway, D is for the 4 dogs that have captured my heart in my life. As always, click the images for a larger view.

The first dog was “Schnitzel” who was a Dachshund mix (at least 75% purebred). I believe all the pictures of Schnitzel are at my mom’s house so I don’t have a shot.

I don’t remember when we got Schnitzel but it was when I was a young child in Pasadena, Texas. Schnitzel was the son of a friend’s Dachsy Fritz and was one of the smartest dogs I’ve ever known. Every morning he would go over to Fritz’s house (block over) and visit for a few hours and then come home. He moved with us to Belvidere, Illinois in the middle of winter and didn’t like the snow on his belly one bit! From there he moved with us to Kansas City, Missouri. I remember the day he died as he was out making his rounds of the neighborhood when he encountered a German Shepherd. Never one to back down, he paid the price in the ensuing dog fight. He made it back home only to die at the vet an hour later. I was in the 4th grade and was crushed.

When I turned 12, I asked for a Dachshund puppy and received “Schnitzel 2”. He was so cute but dumber than a doornail. He was also racist and would get really mean with people whose skin color was not white. No idea where he learned that one. He moved with us to Houston where I captured this picture of my older sister, Lindy, and him in our bedroom. Schnitzel got cancer and died when he was 10 years old and I was away in college.

Fast forward to 1986 when we were living in Houston, Texas and my kids were 7 and 3. My daughter was a Brownie Girl Scout and her troup leader had a puppy that she could no longer care for. She asked if we would like her. Having moved into our first home that wasn’t a rental, we finally got my hubby to agree. Abigail (aka Abby) came to live with us and was loved by all. She was a Cocker mix and very cute. The kids grew up loving that dog and she moved with us to the woods in 1993. She lived to the age of 12 and is still missed.


During the time we had Abby, Curly came to live with us. It was 1995 and I was doing my apprenticeship in Veterinary Technology at a clinic in Waller, Texas. Someone ‘overnighted’ (ie left on the doorstep of the clinic) 2 puppies of unknown lineage. One of the pups had to be put to sleep because of advance mange but the other was fine. This long legged pup came home with me and became “Curly” for his tail. We think he has some Greyhound and Basenji in his background. He also thinks he is a cat and will let my cats groom him and play with his tail. He loved all the kittens I had when I was showing Birmans. Curly will be 11 years old this summer and is starting to show his age. He still runs our 5 acres each day, begs for dog treats and is generally a neurotic mess sometimes. The remodel of the house last year really upset him and he is just now settling down even though the contractors have been gone 3 months. He is good company, though.

So there are the dogs in my life. I’ve loved each unconditionally and a little bit of my heart lives in each.

Till later ~~ Dene

Still Here

I’m still here!! Each day I remind myself that I need to update my blog but each day it seems like I never do. It isn’t the time factor .. I’m not real sure what it is. Call it a blogger-slump – I don’t know.

But, I thought I’d post a couple of things before everyone abandons me! First off, my Secret Pal sent a package that I received today. Wow! A huge skein (200grams) of mohair from New Zealand in the most beautiful blue color. There was also a book about knitting, some needle holders and a stitch counter. I love it all. My camera is on the blink and I’ve got a new one on order so I’ll post a picture when it comes in. Thank you Secret Pal!

I have been knitting. My Lenten project is to make baby socks for the Longest Line charity drive that PTYarns is having. Info on my sidebar >>. I had 14 pairs done by last Friday and the count is now up to 17.5 pairs. They are fairly quick with each pair taking me about 2-3 hours to knit while watching TV.

I also have been knitting on a pair of Opal DreamCatcher 1230 socks in a basic pattern. The first is done and I’ve cast on for the second. I love this yarn and color way :)

That is all for the moment

Till Later ~~ Dene

Eeeep~!

My apologies for my absence and there is no excuse that I’ve not kept up but sometimes life gets in the way. Or maybe it doesn’t but sometimes I don’t have the energy or drive to post. So, for now I’m going to try to catch up :(





First off is the ABC along. Everyone else is on E, I’m on C. So here goes!

C is for California!

About 2 weeks ago, I returned from 3 weeks in California. This state has a certain tie to me although I haven’t established this state as “home”. I’ve never lived there (can’t afford it!) but I’ve worked there since 1998. The company where I tele-commute is now located in Los Gatos. I started out as a contractor for them 7.5 years ago and am now working on the corporate level. Good people, interesting work, crazy state.

I come home to Texas and regale my husband with stories about this crazy state. His only comment is “only in California”. Things like – there are no drive-in fast food restaurants! It isn’t fast food unless you can order it from your car! Maybe it is the price of land that prevents burger joints from adding a take out window – I don’t know. The weather is crazy also. One day while I was there it snowed – yes SNOWED – in San Jose. Excuse me?

Don’t get me wrong – I love to visit California. I live in a flat place – Texas coastal plain. I love waking up and looking out the window at hills. To me, they are mountains, but they are really hills. And snow on top of them! I find a peace looking at nature’s beauty. And driving through them gives me a feeling of peace and awe. I particularly like the drive from San Jose to Santa Cruz along highway 17. I didn’t get to do that drive this year but did get down to downtown Los Gatos where it is also gorgeous.

Speaking of Los Gatos, I was able to visit the yarn shop there – Yarn Dogs. It was a cute shop with lots and lots of novelty yarn. I know they were preparing to go to Stitches West at the time and may not have been stocking fully but I didn’t find anything there that yelled “Buy Me”. So I just purchased some Addi Turbo’s that I needed. I’ll return, though, next time I’m out.

Now on to D!

Till Later ~~ Dene