Distraction

Suburban Chicago, July 1970. I'm opening a gift (in a Madigan's box), but everyone admires Gigi.

A Similar Sweater

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Verona, Wisconsin, July 2016. I worked the sweater in the same pattern as this one. Here's the yarn; I used color "Latte."

Cash!

Suburban Chicago, July 1963. Finding an envelope is much better than opening a box from Madigan's.

General Manners: Feign Delight

Suburban Chicago, July 1962. There's a box from Madigan's, so it looks like someone brought a gift of clothing to my birthday party.

Another Gift

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Verona, Wisconsin, May 13, 2016. Yesterday I delivered this sweater to another physician who has been at my side for nearly seven years. The design is Alice Starmore's "Irish Moss" from Aran Knitting (newer edition here; available as a kit here). This is one of my favorite designs.

I logged my time on this one; it took 154 hours to knit.

An Earlier Variation

I realized after I published "A Gift for a Guardian Angel" that I neglected to post photos of sweater I earlier had knitted for one of my cherished physicians. It was a big project: the recipient wears extra-long garments, and the finished sweater measured 50 inches across. It took about eight weeks to knit it—at a pace of about four hours of knitting per day.

(The most common two remarks people make about knitting: "How long did that take?" and "If I buy the yarn, will you knit me a sweater?")



Madison and Verona, Wisconsin, October 2013. This design is Alice Starmore's "Alba" from The Celtic Collection. I changed the colors to the same 15, undyed natural colors I earlier had used to knit the same sweater for Mr. Irene.

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The design also is available, as a kit, here.

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Oh! And I knitted the original design, way back when, for myself:

A Gift for a Guardian Angel

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Madison and Verona, Wisconsin, March 2016. I knitted this for one of my "keepers." The design is Alice Starmore's "Luskentyre" (also available, in different shades, here as a kit).

A Lesson about Sharing

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1960. I don't mind sharing the pink bear with my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana, because I carry my favorite stuffed dog. It was a good haul.

Christmas Manners: It's not too late the thank Santa.

Bulger Park, Veteran's Park District, Melrose Park, Illinois, December 1966. He appreciates the effort.

Related by Marriage: Tinsel

Suburban Chicago, December 1959. Mr. Irene absorbs his first Christmas.

Overstimulated

December 24, 1960. My Mom remembers Santa bringing only one toy for me each Christmas. I remember more. Here's a post-Kūčios, gift-opening session at which I received at least three gifts. There's a top, and I got a telephone so I could be just like Mom. This also is the year when Santa delivered the skunk.

Ah, look! It's Christmas Eve, and Tatjana has put on a dressier housecoat. Tatjana's habit of wearing housecoats drove Mom batty.

Related by Marriage: Gifts

Madison, Wisconsin, December 24, 1991. Mr. Irene watches as Aunt Martha opens a gift.

Waiting at the Bay Window

Suburban Chicago, December 24, 1965. Dad spots me again waiting at the window for Santa.

Inspection

Suburban Chicago, December 1970. Gigi explores the tree. (That unwrapped box from Marshall Field's is probably Dad's gift to Mom.)

Gift Exchange

Suburban Chicago, December 1962. I'm on the floor, observing the guests. Hey! That little fellow has a bottle of my favorite soda.

A Custom Arrangement

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Verona, Wisconsin, July 2015. Great friends know how to humor me. Check out the poodle's tail.

Another, Annual Banquet

Mr. Irene and I just attended the annual banquet hosted by Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. Last year, I got sick, and we were bummed out that we couldn't go. This year, we were delighted that my friend V and her husband joined us for the occasion. We had a great time.

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Our venue was the elegant Madison Club.

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Guests registered with the greeter before they enjoyed cocktails.

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. The management again decorated the venue with the three colors of the Lithuanian flag.

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Grab a seat before all the spots are taken!

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Donors contributed items for the loterija (raffle).

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. My Mom knitted three hats for the raffle; she made this one out of a luxurious merino-wool-and-silk yarn. Yeah, Mom!

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. The chef prepared a Lithuanian meal.

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. My favorite dish was the Šaltibarščiai.

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. We also enjoyed a blueberry-enhanced Napoleonas.

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May 2, 2015. It was great to see my friend V— the friend I made because of the blog!

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Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. We also were delighted to meet V's husband. Thanks for a wonderful visit!

Related by Marriage: Thanks for the Big Bear

Los Angeles, California, about 1960. Mr. Irene's Los Angeles Cousin enjoys her new bear. (There's a copy of "Draugas" on the end of the couch.)

Exchanging Portraits (Part 45)

Bridgeport, Chicago, about 1942. Suzana, a friend of Mr. Irene's maternal Aunt Martha, gifted this photo to Martha.

I don't want to wait until Christmas to post this one.

Suburban Chicago, about 1956. My friend Kris recently sent this snapshot of her Mom—my Mom's best friend, Donna. Here, Donna visits her neighbor's home.

Thanks to my friend Kris for making this photo available to us.