As you can see, I’m getting a slow start on the New Year.  For some reason, I just haven’t seemed to be able to work up the energy to post here.  But I did want to say something, seeing as how I only had one post in December (yes, the “Post Police” are counting the number of times I post each month).

A Lovely 2008 Christmas

Christmas was lovely.  I spent it with my daughter.  She even made Christmas dinner for me.  I didn’t think to take any pictures (which she’s probably happy about since she thinks I take too many) so none to show here (The “Photo Police” are on my back, too).

A Sad Farewell to My Tai Chi Instructor

Then the following Monday, I received some very shocking news.  I don’t think I’ve mentioned that I started taking tai chi back in the summer.  My teacher, Pansy Hsu, passed away on the winter solstice, December 21.

She was a vibrant, 83 year-old woman, a veritable force of nature who had been practicing tai chi for 30 years.  I want to grow up to be as strong and energetic as Pansy, an incredible role model and excellent teacher, was during the time that I knew her.

I attended her memorial service this past Sunday.  It was a lovely, sad and happy event.  Many members of her family were present, some of whom had traveled all the way from Australia to be with her during her final days.  They shared loving memories of her so that we had a greater understanding of the extraordinary person she was.  I know she will be sorely missed.

Here is a video of Pansy doing a tai chi qigong practice with her daughter, Angela Cantafio, a tai chi master in her own right.

Crocheted Christmas Gifts

As for crochet, I can’t believe I forgot to take a photo of the yellow filet crochet shawl I made before wrapping it (ok, ok, Photo Police, get off my back!).  It turned out very nicely.  I put a picot border around it.  I’m hoping I can get a photo of Ann, a friend of my daughter’s who the gift was for, wearing it so I can post it here.

I’m plugging away on my Learn-to-Knit afghan.  I hope to update the project soon on Ravelry so you can see the next set of squares I’ve  been making (remember, I’m HawaiiHooker).

5 1/2-Hour Throw

My last gift to crochet was a “supposedly” 5 1/2 hour throw that I made for another of my daughter’s friends.  I found the free pattern at the Lion Brand website. It turned out nicely, too.

As usual, I substituted my trusty Red Heart Super Saver (and some Classic) yarn for the Vanna’s Choice the pattern calls for.  It’s hard getting yarn here, so often I have to go online to purchase it, and it sometimes takes forever to get here.  I thought this would be an easy, quick gift to make, but it actually took about 11 hours to make.  Crocheting with a P hook and three strands of yarn was hard on my hands and cumbersome.  Don’t know if I’ll be making it again any time soon.  You can read more about its construction at my page on Ravelry.

Adrienne Is Getting Ready to Graduate

I’m getting ready to see my daughter walk across the stage at the Waikiki Shell next Wednesday.  She’s graduating from Hawaii Pacific University’s School of Nursing.  So I probably won’t be posting much until the after that.  Hopefully I’ll have a post about a crocheter whose work is “out of this world.”  So stay tuned!