It's "Grow Your Blog" Time!

Hi!

Do you know my friend Vicki at http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/? If you do then you know that Vicki is the most  kind, caring, generous, thoughtful, loving person on this planet. If you don't then let me tell you, Vicki is the most kind, caring, generous, thoughtful, loving person on this planet.

Once again Vicki is doing something to help others, and this time it's us!  She is hosting her annual "Grow Your Blog" party to help her readers gather more followers. Thank you, Vicki!

I'll be there, and I hope you are too.

With love,

Terry

Uptown Art

 Do you have an Uptown Art in your area? Their slogan is "Eat, Drink and Paint Happy!" You bring your own wine and they provide everything else. 

Recently, my daughter Shannon asked me to take a class with her. To choose a class you go on their website and choose by the picture you would like to paint. Shannon wanted to paint the holiday wreath.

I was hesitant. I wasn't crazy about the wreath. I had a million and one things to do before the holidays. But, it was my daughter who asked me to do something special with her. How could I say no? 

So on a rainy Friday night we went off to take the class. We chose to bring steaming hot cups of gingerbread latte from Starbucks instead of wine. 

Usually there are about 50 people in the class, but for some reason there was not much interest in painting the holiday wreaths, so there were only 5 of us. That was nice! Really nice! The instructor put James Taylor Radio on Pandora and the painting began. 

I am not a painter. I have trouble drawing a stick figure. These instructors are amazing! 

Everyone's painting came out so different yet each so beautiful. I wish I taken photos of all five of the paintings so you could see. 

This is my painting below. They made me feel like an artist. 

This is Shannon's painting. She is a painter. She helped me a lot during the class. 

Mother and daughter below with our finished paintings. It was a night I will always treasure. Besides spending a wonderful evening with my daughter, the evening was totally relaxing. So glad I said yes! 

If you have one in your area, I highly recommend you give it a try. I guarantee they will make you feel like an artist. 

Love,

Terry

With Gratitude

Hi!

I have come to the realization how much I love the people in the blogging world. I look forward to your blog posts. I subscribe via email to your blogs, because I don't want to miss a post. Sometimes I catch it on Facebook first and only take a preview, because I still want to wait until it is in my in-box. A beautiful gift in my in-box that makes my heart leap with joy. Thank you!

I have not blogged since August. The other day I thought, "What if someone's heart skips a beat when they see my blog post in their in-box?" I have not been giving. I have just been taking. I apologize. You all give me so much joy. I want to return it. I am fully re-entering the blogging world with the intention of blessing all of you in gratitude for the abundant blessings you all give to me. 

With sincere gratitude,

Terry

Happy Holidays!

Newport, RI

My Inspiration

My husband Gary and I are celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary on July 18. Our home, filled with love and laughter, is a very busy place. Our 25 year old quadruplets live at home. So, Gary and I decided to escape for a few days and go to Newport, RI. We had never been there before. Everyone we told we were going said, "Oh, you must see The Breakers and take the Cliff Walk!" We did that and more. 

Newport was not exactly what we expected. We expected peace, quiet, tranquility. No! Newport, as nice as it is, is a tourist trap with shopping and restaurants and shopping and mansions and shopping and ice cream. I was surprised at the amount of shops. 

The Mansions

We toured a few of the mansions. 

This one is called The Breakers. This is a picture of the back of it. You are not permitted to take pictures inside any of the mansions. This mansion was the Vanderbilt's summer cottage. Yep, I said "cottage." 

This photo is provided on The Breakers website. If you click on the image above it will take you to the website. Can you imagine this as your "beach house?"

As we drove by this mansion these camels caught my eye. 

This is Rough Point. It was the home of Doris Duke. We loved this home. Doris Duke lived here until her death in 1991. Although this is a mansion there was a homey feel about it. 

By the way, the camels are not real. They are topiaries. However, at one time, Doris did have real camels on the property.

Reluctantly at first, but then joyfully, we did take The Cliff Walk. Newport's Cliff Walk takes you around the back of the mansions. I am afraid of heights, but I felt safe on this path. Be sure to wear good walking shoes if you take the Cliff Walk.

My husband is a pipefitter, and this antique pipe fascinated him. I took this photo for him.

This tree is on the Doris Duke estate. I was amazed by the massive roots of this tree. This tree said, "I may be old, but I am still strong," to me. 

I loved this planter! The geraniums are staked making it look like a geranium tree. I do not have a green thumb, but I think I may be able to handle this. 

These roses are growing into forming an arbor. I could visualize a bride walking with her father through this harbor on her wedding day. (Yes, I am dreaming about a wedding. No one is engaged yet, but I can dream.)

Cocktail hour --- our view. 

Cocktail hour --- my Watermelon Martini.

This is how they do burgers in Newport! There is a burger underneath that huge pile of buttered lobster! Yum!

This is how they do pizza in Newport! A white pie with scallops, shrimp, and crab meat!

Amazing!

I fell in love with the Watermelon Martinis. I will definitely recreate this drink!

Ice Cream!!!! The best ice cream ever! 

On our way home we stopped at The Mohegan Sun. It was very pretty. However, be warned, they allow smoking. Gary and I stopped for a cocktail at this bar and there were ashtrays on the bar. I haven't seen that in 30 years!

A gorgeous glass sculpture in The Mohegan Sun. 

After three nights and four days we returned home. Back to the world of laundry and grass mowing. It is really nice to get away, and it is really nice to come home. 

Love,

Terry

The Lemonade Toy Project - Calling Knitters, Crocheters, Sewers

The Lemonade Toy Project

Formerly known as The Lemonade Blanket Project

My Inspiration

click on the image above to go to alexslemonade.org

Have you heard about Alexandra "Alex" Scott? She was a 4 year old girl determined to find a cure for childhood cancers. 

Alex was a little girl with cancer. She decided that she was going to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to make better medicine to help all children. Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand  is a picture book written by Alex's parents telling her story. 

click on the above image to go to amazon.com 

I am an elementary school teacher and an avid knitter. In the winter of 2012, inspired by Alex's story, my fifth grade students held a fundraiser for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation called "Collect Coins for Cancer." My students raised $4,865.00 for the foundation. During the time of our fundraiser I asked my contact person if anyone was knitting blankets for the children who were impacted by childhood cancer. The answer I received was, "No." That is when I decided to begin "The Lemonade Blanket Project." The Lemonade Blanket Project collected handmade blankets for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation to be distributed to children who have been impacted by childhood cancer. More than 75 blankets were provided through the kindness, love, and generosity of knitters, crocheters, sewers, and quilters. Joyfully, the foundation has informed me that all of the children they serve have received a blanket, and they have extras for any future child who may need one.

Every year, in December, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation holds a Heroes' Dinner for the children. I thought that this year we could provide a hand knitted, crocheted or sewn stuffed toy for each child. 

If you are interested in helping please knit, crochet or sew a stuffed toy for a child. Any color is fine. Please no buttons or other materials that could be a choking hazard. Kindly use hypoallergenic polyfill, and please make the toy huggable, not huge.

Completed stuffed toys can be sent to:

The Lemonade Blanket Project

133 Kiel Ave.

Kinnelon, NJ 0740

Thank you!
Terry                                        

Hats Off!

March 2014 was the months of hats - - - in a variety of ways.

An 80 year old woman was attacked by a pit bull. She has been through a lot. The medication she is on is making her hair fall. She is embarrassed to go to church. Her daughter asked me if I would make her a hat. I was honored. She said she wanted a plain white hat, no embellishments, no rolling the hat rim. 

She is going to church now. 

God has blessed all of us with gifts and talents. I am grateful for mine. I am grateful that I can bless and serve others with my talents.

The students in the district I teach in enter a creative competition every year - Destination Imagination. Check it out here.

What the kids do at this event blows my mind! Every single one of them is amazing!

I have the honor of being a volunteer.

In an effort to make the kids a little less nervous, all of the appraisers wear silly hats. 

This year the challenge I was an appraiser for was titled Laugh Art Loud.

I had a blast creating my hat, but I had a bigger blast volunteering at this event!

Hats off to every single participant!

Terrible selfie, but I want you to see the hat on my head.

Okay, this one isn't a hat, but it means a lot to me. Knitters don't often have others knit for them. However, my sister Ann knit this beautiful cowl for me. Every time I wear it I feel her love. Thank you, Ann! I hope those I knit for feel as loved as I do.

Wait. Yes, it could be a hat. A cowl can always be pulled up to cover one's head. :)

I take my hat off with abundant pride to my beautiful daughter Shannon.

From the nominations

her professors said they chose "the best of the best." 

Shannon was inducted into Kappa Omicron Nu.

Shannon is "the best of the best." 

Looking Back

I really want to blog weekly.
But
It just does not seem possible.

I work full time
And
Live in a home filled with five other adults (husband and four adult children)
And
I love to knit and crochet
And
Eat and sleep.

So,

Instead of feeling bad because I don't blog every week

I have decided that
I can blog once a month.
I can spend a few minutes here and there each month editing photos and planning my post.
I can prepare a blog post that I will publish each month.
I can do that!

So,

Before I post for March
I need to catch up on February.

I did blog in February
here.
And here.
Wow!
And even here!

Hey!
Maybe I shouldn't be beating myself up.
I was blogging fairly steadily.

In February.

But definitely not in March.

And I know why
Snow Days!
Lots of them in February.
None of them in March.

And,

Since I am
hoping,
praying,
begging God
NO MORE snow days!

I think monthly blogging
is still a good plan.

I will return
at the end of March
and fill you in about March.

Oh, I wish I took more photos.

That is part of my plan too.
To take photos!



I did take photos here.
Yay!

One more bit about February.

On Wednesday, February 19
my daughters and I went to see

MICHAEL BOLTON!!!!

I love Michael Bolton!

I leave you with my favorite song.
I apologize that he is sideways.
If you know how I can fix that please let me know.

He started singing, and we couldn't find him.
Suddenly the lights went on him and he was about five feet away from us!
It was wonderful!!!

Right-side up or sideways
The song sounds amazing!
Enjoy!


Love,
Terry

A Knitter's Winter

Most people head to the grocery store when they hear that a snow storm is coming.

Not me. I head to the yarn shop.

When I hear a storm is coming my first thoughts are, "Do I have enough yarn?"

Winter 2013-2014 has been a knitter's winter.

There's nothing cozier than knitting in front of a fire.

This winter has blessed me with the time to finish up some projects, and, of course, begin some.

I was able to finish this prayer blanket for a special little baby boy who is having surgery. This blanket was so much fun to crochet. I loved watching the angel appear. I do believe this is going to be my go to baby blanket pattern. It took me about a month to crochet this blanket while working full time with a snow day or two. You can find the pattern here.

I started this cowl last year. While grafting it together I made a huge mistake and the whole thing started to unravel. I quickly put a life line in it and tossed it in a basket knowing that I needed to return to it when my patience was at its highest level. I pulled it out of the basket last Friday, finished grafting it Saturday, and wore it Saturday night out to dinner. You can find the pattern here. 

I know. I know. Most people are losing their patience this winter. I am becoming more relaxed with each storm. 

Last night I started knitting a teddy bear for the Mother Bear Project. The Mother Bear Project provides hand knitted teddy bears to children in emerging nations. Thousands of Mother Bear teddy bears have gone to children in Africa. So many children in Africa are affected by HIV/AIDS. Millions of these children are orphaned by this disease. These teddy bears are meant to bring these children just a little bit of comfort and hope. These teddy bears are one simple way to let these children know that someone cares. 

I was privileged to meet Amy Berman, the founder of the Mother Bear Project at Vogue Knitting Live NY a couple of years ago. The minute I stepped into Amy's booth I could feel the energy of love, kindness and abundant caring. Please take a few minutes and read about Amy here.

If you are interested in knitting or crocheting one of these easy-to-make bears just send $5.00 to: 

Mother Bear Project

P.O. Box 62188

Minneapolis, MN 55426

Let them know if you  would like the knit pattern or the crochet pattern and they will send it to you. Please visit their website Mother Bear Project for more information. 

The snow will end. The crocuses will push their way up through the snow reaching for the sunlight. The daffodils will appear. SPRING will come. However, for now, grab a cup of hot coffee or tea, light a fire in the fireplace, put your feet up and watch the snow come down. There is peace to be found in snow falling upon snow. 

Love,

Terry

The Thinker

So many bloggers have interesting names/titles for their husbands. 

Ree Drummond at The Pioneer Woman calls her husband "Marlboro Man." 

Vicki at 2 Bags Full calls her husband "The Gardner." 

So, I gave some thought to what I would call my husband and I decided that it must be

The Thinker

My husband is always thinking. 

He refuses to make split second decisions. 

I warn you, never go to one of those big warehouse stores like BJ's or Costco with him unless you have at least three hours. 

I AM NOT COMPLAINING! 

Being married to The Thinker is a good thing --- a very good thing. 

So, from here on I will refer to my husband as "The Thinker."

And about that body ... he's mine girls ... all mine. And that is a very good thing too. 

Love,

Terry

A Winter Weekend Getaway

Last weekend my husband and I spent a delightfully relaxing weekend in Rehoboth, Delaware.

We stayed at a gorgeous hotel called
The Boardwalk Plaza.

They had a special weekend package called
 "Cozy Winter Weekend."

And it was!

We both left work a little early on Friday, and were on our way to Delaware by early afternoon. I love long drives. Gary does the driving, and I do the knitting/crocheting. This way I don't tell him how to drive, and we both arrive peacefully at our destination.

I am presently working on this blanket. I'm making mine in blue for a special little baby boy.

Click on the photo for the pattern.

Check out the magazine too. 

We arrived at The Boardwalk Plaza around 6:00 p.m. We went to the front desk to register, and look at the gorgeousness that greeted us! I was happy happy happy from the moment we walked in.

Friday night we ate at The Pub inside the hotel. I had a delicious glass of Howling Moon Pinot Noir. Gary enjoyed a beer. Our burgers and salad were scrumptious. Service was impeccable.

This sign is in the hotel lobby and elegant it was. 

Saturday morning we woke up to this view.

Breathtaking. 

We were on the move early. This is very rare for us. We usually like to linger over coffee for a few hours. 

We found a wonderful place to have breakfast called The Point Coffee House and Bake Shoppe. Oh, my! Delicious! Delicious! Delicious!

Yes! They roasted their own coffee! Amazing! I want to move to Rehoboth just so I can have coffee there everyday. 

Saturday was cold and snowy, but we toured the area and stopped at some wonderful shops. Everyone was so warm and friendly. It as such a pleasant day.

By 4:00 we were back at our cozy hotel drinking hot coffee for Gary, hot chocolate for me and eating mini almond joy cakes. They weren't so mini, and they were absolutely decadent. Yum! 

At 7:00 it was dinner here while listening to piano and cello music. Pure delight! The food, oh my goodness! I had the crispy duck and Gary had the steak. Delectable!!! And guess what wine was suggested to go with my duck - yep! Howling Moon Pinot Noir! 

I videotaped some of the beautiful music. Gary didn't realize I was taping it, and he started to fuss with the dinner bill. That's the funny crinkling sound.

                                          

Sadly, Sunday we had to leave this view. We agreed that the next time we will stay one more night. 

Is one more night ever enough? 

So we said our good byes for now, but we will be back. We will definitely be back. 

Grow Your Blog

It's Vicki's 2nd annual meet and greet blog party!

 Please click on the blue link to visit Vicki's amazing blog. 

Thank you, Vicki!

Hi! I'm Terry! Welcome to my blog Sharing Divine Inspiration!

I started my blog in 2010. My reason for blogging back then was to share my passion for

knitting,

crocheting,

needle felting,

and creating.

However, over the years my posts began to change.  Although I still share my creative passions I began to also share other parts of my life that bring me joy.

My cats,

books I love,

music I love,

and the husband and children I adore!


My blog has become my story, and I really like that.
I like knowing that one day my grandchildren, my great-grandchildren, etc. can log onto my blog and read my story. 



I am a wife of 32 years to an amazing man, the mother of 25 year old quadruplets, an elementary special education teacher, a reader, a blogger, a knitter, a crocheter, a needle-felter, a walker, a home-body.

I am not a cook. I can cook, but I don't like to cook. I love anyone who will cook for me!
I am not a traveler. My favorite place in the whole wide world is Home Sweet Home.

I am not a runner. I used to be a runner, but my feet were about to bail out on me. I walk now. I much prefer walking over running. Now I get to see the beauty of this world that I used to run right past.

I am so grateful that you stopped by. Thank you! 

I look forward to visiting your wonderful blogs.

With gratitude and joy,

Terry