I can’t believe that Easter is just around the corner. I began crocheting some Easter gifts for the little ones in the family – great nieces and great nephews. All my grandchildren are older now and don’t appreciate little stuffed animals as much as they used to. On the other hand, they just might ask me for a stuffed animal too when they see how cute they are.

Here are three that I have created so far and working on two more. If I have time, I just might make a couple more in case the older ones feel left out. Each child, young and old, receives some candy for their gift anyway. We have seven younger ones and four teenagers in the family.

I sewed and crocheted the eyes and nose on to prevent the little ones from swallowing the eyes and nose if I had used safety eyes. I don’t find safety eyes and noses safe at all. I plan to make two more bears in different sizes. The next one is coming out smaller because I did not count my stitches but like the size for the youngest nephew.

Each time my grandkids visit I give them something to take home, whether it is food or something else. When I visit them, I do the same thing. I never go empty-handed. It is the joy that I receive in return when I gift something to someone who doesn’t expect it. I love watching their faces when I present something I made to them. It makes all my efforts worthwhile.

Here are some tulips that my husband surprised me with recently. I hope they brighten your day too.

I always find joy in giving more than receiving. I feel embarrassed when someone gifts me something especially if I don’t have something to give them. I would rather they didn’t give me anything and just let me give them something.

At Christmas time I enjoy surprising everyone with something new I made. This year I don’t know what I will do. I had made some hats, but I think I will most likely give them away to someone needy in the winter.

I enjoy keeping busy at all times. At my age I have to keep my mind active and my hands moving so that they don’t cramp us with arthritis. It does help.

I need to get back to my WIP, but I have kept busy crocheting and now I began a jigsaw puzzle with my husband. I have always enjoyed working on jigsaw puzzles since I was just a child. Here are some photos of my progress. This is an Italian puzzle that we found in Barnes & Noble. I love lighthouses. It reminds me of the lighthouses I have seen in Maine.

It’s quite a challenging puzzle with all the blues that are similar. We like to do it from the bottom up. How do you do a jigsaw puzzle? They are calming and fascinating to do. I did many with my dad over the years. The last day I saw him alive and awake was when he was doing a puzzle. The next day he was in the hospital and undergoing surgery on his brain. He never woke up again. It is sad to think about, but it also brings me closer to him each time I do one. It has been many years since I have done one. I think he is looking over my shoulder and guiding my hands to the pieces.

Well, I think it is time to close now and get back to preparing dinner. It’s almost that time and my husband will be calling for me to close up shop and leave the office. Sigh!

Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon. Read, read and read some more to help keep your mind busy and strong.

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!

Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

Award-Winning Author

Jemsbooks for All Ages!

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