Why?

While I was looking through various websites for ideas for a baby blanket for my upcoming grandchild, I came across some interesting patterns.  All are very creative, and I do admire a creative mind, but honestly, I don't think I'll be pulling out yarn and needles for these projects.  Yes, I am still planning the special blanket for John and Miranda's baby (my grandchild), but it will be a blanket any baby would be proud to call his/her own. 

The alligator above is darling, but do any of you know who would wear it?  I don't, but I am sure someone must.  This seems to be a pretty popular pattern on Ravelry. 

If I had a lot of spare time, I just might knit this for Rev. Johnston.  Nothing like a cute little sheep soap on a rope.

Anyone who has lived with a cat knows this is strickly taboo.  Poor little kitty.

I know there are people who like to show off their smarts, but their brains?  Seriously, this is some very clever knitting.

I love elephants, but also love babies.  Babies are helpless when getting dressed by adults who just don't get it.  BABIES DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR DIGNITY!!!!!

This one really puzzles me.  I greatly admire anyone who can do intarsia knitting, I don't seem to be able to.  But really, the Titantic next to the killer iceberg?  Who wants to wear such a depressing event? 

Doesn't this dog looked thrilled?  Why?  The hat isn't even covering the ears which is where the cold would harm first.  Look at the expression on this dog's face, he's not pleased.

I've always throught knitting should be for comfortable clothing.  This Union Suit doesn't look comfortable.  Ugh! 

Finally, if you have a LOT of yarn in your stash and don't know what to do with it, here's an idea. 

 

To my friends and family, don't worry.  I go by the rule that if I wouldn't wear it, chances are neither would you.

TTFN

Sue

Gratitude

 

These are little stockings before they are stuffed, packed and sent to the troops.  They look like simple little stockings, but they aren't.  These three stockings are representaive of the 5300 we received this year. 

These are stockings that tell our troops that each stocking comes with a message. 

The message is of support, prayer, love and gratitude from all of us.  

 The message is we know you are away from home for the holidays so we are sending a little of home to you.  

The message is take care and stay safe.  

 The message is we are back home waiting for your return. 

 I am sharing some of the messages we have received from the troops who got our little stockings.  The photos posted below are from last year.  Our troops haven't been able to send pictures this year, and I honestly was so busy and amazed by the out pouring of love from all of you that I didn't get pictures of all of the beautiful stockings this year.  

 Thank you very much for the Holiday Cheer you sent the members of the _____ Joint Task Force.  Your thoughtfulness, kindness and the time you dedicated to this are all very much appreciated.

The Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and Marines truly appreciate your efforts and dedication.

Our best to all of you, your great organization and your families during the Holiday Season and in 2013.

I am U.S. Army Chaplain ___, and ____ received your boxes of Christmas stockings and she passed them on to myself.  Today I handed out all of the Christmas stockings to my soldiers here at Camp ____.  Thank you and Operation Holiday Stockings for helping to bring a little piece of Christmas to my soldiers.  Your generosity is greatly appreciated.  May God bless you and Merry Christmas. 

 To everyone at Operation Holiday Stockings –

Thank you so much for all you do for our deployed troops.  A touch of Christmas is exactly what we needed here, and you gave us that. 

God bless.

 To Everyone Working in Support of Operation Holiday Stockings,

It was wonderful to open twenty-two boxes filled with a “HUGE” amount of love and blessings from your organization.  The stockings brought joy, smiles, Christmas cheer and lots of thank you’s.  We are most thankful and blessed to know this was done from the heart. 

Operation Holiday Stockings, thank you for thinking of [us] during this holiday season.

*Due to our mission here photos were not allowed. 

Thank you and God bless each and every one of your families. 

 Just wanted to say thank-you for the Holiday Stocking, cheer and prayers. On behalf of the rest of us at _____________, your support and thoughts are greatly appreciated.

  The unit received their stockings today and they loved them!! They wanted to give yall a very big thank you!!! Thank you all for what you do for our troops!!

Bless you all!!!

 Good afternoon! We received the boxes today and I have put them away for a week or so of safekeeping. They arrived at a good time, morale is a little low around the CP right now with lots of winter weather, field training, and late hours. All the guys are ready for a little pick up and the stockings will do the trick! I will try to get photos when they pass them out.

Thanks again, your generosity is very much appreciated.

Hello and Merry Christmas Sue.  I wanted to extend my sincere thanks for the

awesome stockings.  They were a huge hit at our event.  Pics soon to follow. 

Happy Holidays.

 

We need the support you give to make life more is bearable, and we have a connection with our country.  I know many Soldiers take for granted what you do for them, and do not see the sacrifices YOU make.  If I could write everyone individually for all the love gifts I have received in my taskforce I would not do anything but write!!!!  

I Say thanks again for the gift giving people hope in a season known for hope!

 

To everyone who sent stockings, goodies, toiletries, games, toys, cards, snacks, candy and prayers, all of us at Operation Holiday Stockings say thanks to you.  Because of you, our troops know we haven't forgotten them. 

TTFN

Sue

 

Thank You!

This post is to say thank you to everyone who contributed to Operation Holiday Stockings for 2012.  I am beginnig to get letters and thanks from the troops and will share that with you in the next post.  Everyone listed below contributed with support, love, and of course stockings, goodies for the stockings, and donations for postage.  We also received the prayers you all contributed for the troops, and for the steadfast volunteers of Operation Holiday Stockings.  We are sending out our last shipment tomorrow, a total of 570 stockings to three units who arrived in Afghanistan during the holiday season.  We are now gearing up for 2013. 

THANK YOU!!!!! 

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS FOR 2012

 

A Dropped Stitch of Sequim, Washington

 

A Loose Knit Group, University of Michigan Institute for Social Research

 

Al and Cindy of Comstock Park, Michigan

 

Amy of Denver, Colorado

 

Angela of Portland, Oregon

 

Anne of Seattle, Washington

 

Anna of Bothell, Washington

 

Applebees Restaurant of Sequim, Washington

 

Baker Family of Wenatchee, Washington

 

Barbara of Appleton, Wisconsin

 

Barbara and Melinda of Collierville, Tennessee

 

Believers Fellowship of Keyser, West Virginia

 

Bernie of Prince Albert, Canada

 

Beth of Duchesne, Utah

 

Betsy of Rockford, Illinois

 

Betsy of Sequim, Washington

 

Betty of Bellevue, Washington

 

Bev of Seattle, Washington

 

Bill Wong DMD of Bellevue, Washington

 

Bob and Wanda of Bothell, Washington

 

Bonnie of Bothell, Washington

 

Bonnie of Sequim, Washington

 

Carla of Mercer Island, Washington

 

Carol of Port Hope, Michigan

 

Carolyn of Centerville, Ohio

 

Casa Adobes Congregational Church of Tucson,Arizona

 

Cash’s Drapery of Milwaukie, Oregon

 

Cassandra of Yuma, Arizona

 

Cassy of Edmonds, Washington

 

Charleen of Henderson, North Carolina

 

Charlotte of Bellevue, Washington

 

Cheryl of Blue Rock, Ohio

 

Cheryl of Seattle, Washington

 

Christina of Seattle, Washington

 

Cindy of Bellevue, Washington

 

Cindy of Poland, Ohio

 

Connie of Hansville, Washington

 

Cornie of Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

Costco of Issaquah, Washington

 

Crown Plaza Hotel of Seattle, Washington

 

Cub Scout Pack 517 of Covington, Washington

Cynde of Canyon Lake, California

 

Dan and Lillie of Bothell, Washington

 

Dana of Cougar Mountain, Washington

 

Danielle of Seattle, Washington

 

Darting Needles Quilt Guild of Appleton, Wisconsin to honor Patricia Kailhofer, Sunshine (Charity) Quilt Coordinator

 

Dave of Gig Harbor, Washington

 

David of Milwaukie, Oregon

 

David of Sequim, Washington

 

Debbie of Elizaville, New York

 

Debbie of Las Vegas, Nevada

 

Denise of Huddleston, Virginia

 

Denise of Manorville, New York

 

Denise and Bernie of Wilkesboro, North Carolina

 

Dianna of Lyle, Washington

 

Donna of Danville, Indiana

 

Donna of Olympia, Washington

 

Donna of Reston, Virginia

 

Doris of Bothell, Washington

 

Dorothy of Beaumont, California

 

Dorothy of Chagrin Falls, Ohio

 

Eastside Knitting Guild of Bellevue, Washington

 

Elaine of Federal Way, Washington

 

Elizabeth of Madison, Mississippi

 

Elizabeth of Sequim, Washington

 

Ellen Reh DMD of Bellevue, Washington

 

Employees of Martin Selig Real Estate of Seattle, Washington

 

Evelyn of East Hartford, Connecticut

 

Floor Solutions of Portland, Oregon

 

Gary and Erika of Edmonds, Washington

 

Gillian of Bothell, Washington

 

Grace of Issaquah, Washington

 

Hancock Fabrics NW of Tucson, Arizona

 

Heidi of Seattle, Washington

 

Hotel Sierra of Bellevue, Washington

 

Humphreys of Provo, Utah

 

Husqvarna Viking Sewing Gallery of Fairlawn, Ohio

 

Husqvarna Viking Sewing Gallery of Hudson, Ohio

 

Hyatt House of Bellevue, Washington

 

Joan of Cleveland, Ohio

 

Jacki of Seattle, Washington

 

Jackie of New Creek, West Virginia

 

Jamie of Cincinnati, Ohio

 

Jan of Ankany, Ohio

 

Jan of Columbus, Ohio

 

Jane of Bloomfield, New Jersey

 

Janet of Bothell, Washington

 

Janine of Bloomfield, New Jersey

 

Jay and Gina of Bellevue, Washington

 

Jean of Bellevue, Washington

 

Jean of Mukilteo, Washington

 

Jean of Sequim, Washington

 

Jean of Virginia Beach, Virginia

 

Jill of Seattle, Washington

 

Jim B of Seattle, Washington

 

Jim L of Seattle, Washington

 

Jo of Bellevue, Washington

 

Jo of Manchester, New Hampshire

 

Joan of East Hartford, Connecticut

 

Joan and Matt of Bellevue, Washington

 

Joan and Dennis of Walworth, New York

 

Joann of North Liberty, Indiana

 

Joey of San Francisco, California

 

John and Mary of Walla Walla, Washington

 

Jolyn of Bellevue, Washington

 

Joyce of Kinsley, Kansas

 

Judi of Westland, Michigan

 

Judith of Morrisville, Vermont

 

Julie of San Jose, California

 

Justine of Bellevue, Washington

 

K of Land O Lakes, Wisconsin

 

Karen of Ann Arbor, Michigan

 

Karen of Medford, Oregon

 

Karen of Shoreline, Washington

 

Karen of Thousand Oaks, California

 

Kari of Bellevue, Washington

 

Karin of Hillsboro, Ohio

 

Kathy of Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

Kathy of College Place, Washington

 

Kathy of Sequim, Washington

 

Katie of Bellevue, Washington

 

Kay of Seattle, Washington

 

Kelli of Port Orchard, Washington

 

Kenya of Yadkinville, North Carolina

 

Kim of Redmond, Washington

 

Kinsley High School of Kinsley, Kansas

 

Kris Brain DDS of North Bend, Washington

 

Ladies of the Elks of Sequim, Washington

 

Ladies of the Lakes Quilters Guild of Mirror Lake, New Hampshire

 

Lake Hills Orthodontics of Bellevue, Washington

 

Lana of Seattle, Washington

 

Lana of Sequim, Washington

 

Laurene of Uncasville, Connecticut

 

Leanne of Seattle, Washington

 

Leslie of Yakima, Washington

 

Leslie of Seattle, Washington

 

Liberty Free Methodist Church of Liberty, New York

 

Lil’ Jon’s Restaurant of Bellevue, Washington

 

Lil’ Jon’s Veterans Group of Bellevue, Washington

 

Lilly of Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

Linda of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

 

Linda of Cherry Hill, New Jersey

 

Linda of Kirkland, Washington

 

Linda of Carlsborg, Washington

 

Linda of Tucson, Arizona

 

Lindsey of Seattle, Washington

 

Lisa of Seattle, Washington

 

Lisa of Bellevue, Washington

 

Lockwood Village of Bothell, Washington

Lorri of Sequim, Washington

 

Lynette of Mulkiteo, Washington

 

Lynne of Seattle, Washington

 

Maggie of Seattle, Washington

 

Marchand of Seattle, Washington

 

Margaret of Montlake Terrace, Washington

 

Margaret of Norton, Ohio

 

Marina of Bremerton, Washington

 

Marisusan of Bothell, Washington

 

Margot of Niagara University, New York

 

Marilee of Kingston, Washington

 

Marleen and Darrel of Seattle, Washington

 

Marlys of Seattle, Washington

 

Mary of Bainbridge Island, Washington

 

Mary of Bellevue, Washington

 

Mary of Coronado, California

 

Mary and Walter of Sahuarita, Arizona

 

Mary of Sequim, Washington

 

Mary of Tomahawk, Wisconsin

 

Meadowdale High School Key Club of Lynnwood, Washington

 

Melody of Bellevue, Washington

 

Melody of The Colony, Texas

 

Memorial Donation on behalf of WWII Veteran Howard of Bradenton, Florida

 

Michael Mulick DDS of Seattle, Washington

 

Morry of Everett, Washington

 

Myrna of Edmonds, Washington

 

Nancy of Bellevue, Washington

 

Nancy of Seattle, Washington

 

Open Aire Market of Sequim, Washington

Pacific Fire Systems of West Linn, Oregon

 

Pam of Gamble Bay, Washington

 

Pat of Hazelhurst, Mississippi

 

Pat of Vilter, New York

 

Pat of Virginia Beach, Virginia

 

Patricia of Loveland, Colorado

 

Patty of Ashland, Wisconsin

 

Paulette of Sammamish, Washington

 

Pearl Valley Baptist Church of Wesson, Mississippi

 

Perkins Coie LLP of Seattle, Washington

 

Peter Wong DMD of Bellevue, Washington

 

Plano 9^th Ward (Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints) of Dallas, Texas

 

Priscilla of East Hartford, Connecticut

 

Purr of Ryderwood, Washington

 

Randy Lake DDS of Renton, Washington

 

Reddick Methodist Church of Reddick, Florida

 

Redstone College of Broomfield, Colorado

 

Rachel of Milwaukie, Oregon

 

Ricardo’s Family Mexican Restaurant of Bellevue, Washington

 

Rita of Lauderhill, Florida

 

Renee of Bellevue, Washington

 

Robert and Barbara of Linden, Michigan

 

Roger and Mary of Mission, Texas

 

Rosalee of Indianapolis, Indiana

 

Ruby of Vicksburg, Mississippi

 

Russell Construction of Tualatin, Oregon

 

Ruth of Sequim, Washington

 

Sally of Woodbine, Maryland

 

Sandra of Albuquergue, New Mexico

 

Sandra of Edmonds, Washington

 

Sandra and Robert of Sequim, Washington

 

Sandy of Nottingham, New Hampshire

 

Sara of Pelham, Alabama

 

Schmitz Park Elementary School of West Seattle, Washington

 

Scott of Bellevue, Washington

 

Shari of Leesburg, Florida

 

Shari of Longville, Minnesota

 

Sherry of Bellevue, Washington

 

Sherry of Bolivar, Missouri

 

Sheryl and Chris of West Bend, Wiconsin

 

Shirley of Millers Creek, North Carolina

 

Silver Cloud Hotel of Bellevue, Washington

 

Soroptimist Club of Sequim, Washington

 

Stacey of Boca Raton, Florida

 

Staples, Inc. of Kent, Washington

 

Stephanie of Bellevue, Washington

 

Steve’s Repair Customers of Sequim, Washington

 

Stitch ‘n Bitch of Sequim, Washington

 

Streimer Sheet Metal Works, Inc. of Portland, Oregon

 

Stitches from the Heart of Bellevue, Washington

 

Sunbonnet Sue Quilting Guild of Sequim, Washington

 

Sue Lynn of Redmond, Washington

 

Sue M. of Seattle, Washington

 

Sue V of Temple Hills, Maryland

 

Susan B. of Carlsborg, Washington

 

Susan C. of Bellevue, Washington

 

Susan M. of Lakewood, Colorado

 

Susan M. of Bellevue, Washington

 

Susan M. of Seattle, Washington

 

Susan R. of Sequim, Washington

 

Susan L. of Waltham, Massachusetts

 

Syrinda of Seattle, Washington

 

Target of Issaquah, Washington

 

Target of Renton, Washington

 

Teresa of Seattle, Washington

 

Teri of Dallas, Texas

 

Tess of Cordova, Tennessee

 

The Jel Sert Company of West Chicago, Illinois

 

Tom and Mary of Renton, Washington

 

United Way of King County, Washington

 

Virginia of Wilton, California

 

Wade of Seattle, Washington

 

Walmart of Lynnwood, Washington

Warwick Enterprises of Hillsboro, Oregon

 

Wendy of Cordova, Tennessee

 

Western North Carolina Quilt Guild of Henderson, North Carolina

 

Woof & Poof of Chico, California

 

 

 

TTFN

 

Sue