Elusive Spring and A-Z Challenge

Some of you may have seen this cute little ditty on Facebook awhile back.  It struck me as funny, and even though yesterday was in fact The First Day of Spring, many folks posted on Facebook that it snowed.  I'm happy to say it didn't snow here, and I hope we've seen the last of it, but still ...it doesn't look like or feel like Spring, so perhaps it's really not quite yet installed.  Meanwhile, keep those hands busy with yarn, needles and hooks, our homeless friends still need our help.  AND remember, even after the weather is nice, we continue, this is a year long quest.  We continue to knit, crochet, and loom and donate--- that gives our shelters and our friend Rae the ability to stock pile supplies so as soon as the weather turns they are prepared and don't have to wait for a delivery from us to protect the people in need.

A bit of an update, this badge which you see in my right sidebar is part of the annual #atozchallenge.  We blog daily in alphabetical order, and we visit at least 5 blogs daily.  It's a way to grow readership, meet new bloggers and we're hopeful the added exposure for Bridge and Beyond will produce new followers of the blog and helping hands for the cause.  I've started an additional blog log, also in the right side bar, scroll down for all a-z friends who visit and leave comments on the blog to assure I'm able to visit your blogs back and return the favor.  I've written and scheduled to post 8 blog posts so far, (A-H).  As donations come in those posts will be added to the scheduled challenge posts.  Additionally, I've visited and left comments on 70 blogs so far (5 for each blog post since I've joined the challenge).  Reminder to my a-z friends to please delete your captcha (per challenge rules), and to please leave the actual url to your blog not your profile page or google+ page so reciprocal  visits are possible.

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 130
Scarves 50
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 45
Slippers: 50
Rain Poncho's:  53
Cotton Washcloths: 79
Afghans: 2
Socks: 121
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Head to Toe Warmth and Protection for the Homeless

 Thank you AnneMarie from New York, a long time and always generous supporter of Bridge and Beyond.  Many thanks for your wonderful donation.  These 2 boxes were packed with all kinds of goodies folks.

Socks for both men and women, lots of rain ponchos...just in time for the raining season that will soon be upon us, making life miserable for those out in the elements, personal care items, wonderful colorful cotton washcloths, and mittens.  Please click to enlarge folks to check out the darling pink slippers in the first photo.  She's also included a pair of writs warmers...the purple beneath the cute pink slippers!

As always many thanks and please keep up the good work.  Folks pop back in as I only got 2 of her boxes opened in time for this post.........there's more!

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 130
Scarves 50
Mittens/Gloves/Wrist Warmers: 42+3=45
Slippers: 47+3=50
Rain Poncho's:  3+50=53
Cotton Washcloths: 71+8=79
Afghans: 2
Socks: 69+52=121
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Reflection of Women and Handcrafts

While we knit, crochet, or loom doesn't require a sewing machine, I thought you all would enjoy this little ditty.  Some may have already seen this, as it floating around on facebook a few days ago, but I know many of you aren't on facebook, and if you are...it's sometimes difficult to see all the stuff that gets posted.    This date, 1949 was just 1 year before I was born, if Mom were alive I could as if she could relate to this.

I do know that later in life when I was Junior High School (for you youngins reading, you know call it middle school), and she'd wake me up early on a Saturday morning telling me she might be able to sew me a dress for an up coming dance at school if I'd get up and do the cleaning and laundry.  Yep....that was deal she often floated, and it always worked.  I'd get laundry going, vacuum, and she'd sew.  And yes it was on a Singer.  Initially on one like this, a treadle sewing machine.

The one Mom had had 2 drawers, I think instead of 3 you see here.  Dad traded it in and got her a new fancy one, a portable electric...she was thrilled; but later wished she'd kept her treadle.  But, trading in saved money.  This one sits here in my office and belonged to my Aunt Mary (Dad's sister).  Before Aunt Mary had it, it belonged to her Mother, and we think possibly her Grandmother...but Dad's not sure about that.  It's still partially threaded.  I love having it, even if I don't use it.

What I find the most amusing about this is, she ...the woman of the house was sewing for her family 9 out of l0 times, school clothes, curtains, pillows and other things to help sustain her family.  It was still part of housework, wonder why it was viewed as "extra", like they were being lazy if they did this instead of doing the dishes?

Ladies, do remember to make yourself neat and tidy as you knit, crochet, and loom.  And for heavens sake, don't be Lackadaisical!

2015 DONATIONS:
Hats: 130
Scarves 50
Mittens: 42
Slippers: 47
Rain Poncho's:  3
Cotton Washcloths: 71
Afghans: 2
Socks: 69
Cowls 12
Shawls 1
Misc: items like personal care and things don't fit into above categories aren't counted.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.