Merriam Rivas-Blumenthal

Our sweet neighbor Merriam passed away on Thursday after battling cancer for two years. She was a blessing to everyone who knew her. Whenever we went over to visit her, she was always praying and welcomed our prayers. She died peacefully in her sleep at home with her husband Ed and her daughter Sandra at her side. 

Merriam lived quite a life and was very creative. Here is her obituary from the Orlando Sentinel, that tells a little bit of the things she did.

Orlando Sentinel Obituary

Monkey

This is a "sock" monkey that I crocheted for my grand-nephew, Zeke. I really like the way it turned out. The pattern is  Leisure Arts Sock Monkeys. I used Caron Simply Soft Yarn, in Bone and Off White.

This is the monkey at work on his Mac:

This is little Zeke opening his present. Isn't he adorable?

Afghan for Kirkland Nash

This is a baby afghan I made for Kirk Lawrence's sister Tiffany. They named the baby Kirkland Nash, after Kirk. Here's a picture of the little cutie who was born on March 17.   

The Power of Knitting

A 98-year-old woman who survived the L’Aquila earthquake in Italy managed to stay alive in the rubble by knitting.  Maria D’Antuono told rescue workers she spent the 30 hours she was trapped knitting to keep herself busy. Ms D’Antuono was buried under her bed when her stone home collapsed during the quake in the village of Tempera. But she was determined to stay alive and told reporters she spent the hours knitting. (From the UK Sunday Express)

Good thing she kept her knitting by the bed. Let that be a lesson to us all! :)

.

Knitted Throw

I keep coming across more things mom made. She made this throw for me when she found out we were moving to a new place. She asked me about colors and made something that drew in the earthtones that our house is mostly decorated in. I keep this on the couch in my Florida room.

.

Socks for Michelle

These are the socks I made for my friend Michelle. We were in a cute little yarn shop in Mt Dora - The Knit 'n Needle Nook. Michelle picked out the yarn and said she would like some Spa Socks, so here they are! 

.

Hangin' With Jesus

Our friend Nick Casiello passed away this week after 2 years of struggling with health problems. Nick was a great guy. A man who believed God's Word and acted on it and I want to be like that! 

One of the many things I loved about Nick was that he loved my husband Loyd. Whenever Loyd was in the hospital, it was always Nick who would come up and pray with him. At Nick's memorial service, Loyd sang I Can Only Imagine. Vernon, Tim, Shelby and Loyd sang It is Well With My Soul, Soon and Very Soon, and I'll Fly Away/Goodbye World Goodbye.

So many people got up and spoke about how Nick (and his wife Carol) impacted their lives for Jesus. You never know the kind of influence a fully surrendered life has. It was amazing. I couldn't stop crying. 

I ran into my friend Dede there who said that she was sad and would miss Nick, but she knows he is "hangin' with Jesus." It made me smile.   :)

.

Bound For Glory

Bekah's boyfriend, Roy passed away suddenly and unexpectedly from pneumonia at age 25. Bekah is my daughter Anna's best friend. This is Anna and her husband Gary at Roy's memorial service. 

.

Calvary

This is a painting Loyd did many years ago (over 30) for mom & dad. It hung over mom's fireplace and now it hangs in my brother Chris's house. 

.

My Little Rock Band

The gang sings a snappy number: "Psycho Killer," by Talking Heads. 

:)

.