The weekly “little of this, little of that” feature from Like Mother, Like Daughter!
Here is the pair of sweet mitts that Auntie Leila has been knitting using the beautiful yarn from Angora Gardens that we are giving away today (well, not that exact skein — a new one!). The details are below, after this week's links! For a chance to win, see the giveaway at the bottom of this post!
This week's links!
- I want to share with you something fascinating that I once learned from a college friend who, while in medical school, heard a lecture by a certain Sr. Hanna Klaus, MD, who works with an organization called TeenSTAR (disclosure: I only know about this group what I'm writing here). From this sister, my friend learned that, when vulnerable teens were taught about their cycles and how to understand their fertility, the girls opted to remain chaste; and those who had previously been sexually active stopped. Overall, the effect of their fertility education was that they were able to resist peer pressure and begin making their own decisions (which turned out to be in favor of waiting for marriage) – and this was in developing countries. I was reminded of this when, this week, I read about how popular surveys have been grossly misrepresenting the “need” for contraception in Africa. All of this, I think, goes to show how we in the US can be so misled by certain factions about what is really going on around the world vis-a-vis women's health, and what women's true needs are.
- Here's a touching story of a sick infant being treated using her own cord blood stem cells. She is such a little sweetheart and it's awesome to see how she's been helped by recent medical developments!
- Rosie and Auntie Leila have now both tested – and received all-around approval for – these homemade tortillas. I would say the only downside is that you'll have to increase the flavors of your fajitas fillings in order to match the tastiness of the wrap!
- Auntie Leila identified this as “a slam dunk of a post:” When You're Too Closed Minded to “Google It” — a man provides a response to an irritating science v. religion meme.
- Will you, like me, take any and all personality quizzes available? If so, here's one that appears to provide a quick and fairly thorough Meyers-Briggs analysis.
- Speaking of analysis: When Parenting is Illegal. The author makes the important connection that a contraceptive culture is also one that will be punishing to parents who don't fit a particular bill of behavior. (I also tend to think that the same cultural problem is what underlies a general tendency towards overprotectiveness, which is part of the picture that we're seeing with all the “Bad Samaritanism” as the article puts it.)
- This is fun: a group of friends who all got married around the same time and who have all remained friends… and all remained married! How to Make a Marriage Last.
A few fun oddities:
- Did you know about the Philatelic Art Awards? Neither did we. But we do think it's cool that they happened. Here's the stamp that won the top prize.
- What to do with your empty beer bottles? Michael Jackson never sounded so good.
From the Archives:
Today we remember St. Eusebius and St. Peter Julian Eymard!
~We’d like to be clear that, when we direct you to a site via one of our links, we’re not necessarily endorsing the whole site, but rather just referring you to the individual post in question (unless we state otherwise).~
And now for the giveaway!
Mary Lou is giving away a skein of soft, non-itchy CVM/Alpaca/Angora DK yarn plus a mitt pattern from Angora Gardens! This is a $29 value. Mary Lou says that the CVM is Romaldale wool — very close to Merino. This yarn is just lovely.
Auntie Leila can verify that the directions are incredibly easy to follow and that you have plenty of yarn left over after you make the mitts.
Just leave a comment here on the blog to enter, and a winner will be chosen on Thursday!
And! if you don't win, Mary Lou is generously offering 25% off your purchase! Just register at the checkout and mention in the instruction/comment box “LMLD 25% off”!
Kat says
Thank you for this giveaway! The yarn looks and sound so lovely! I have been making baby hats and booties for some friends and a sister in law having babies and this easy mit pattern sounds like it would make a great addition.
Wanda says
Well I’ll just jump in and be the first to register for the giveaway!! Just call it a belated birthday gift :)))
Thank you so much for offering this up!
priest's wife @byzcathwife says
INFP again! (I took a quiz a good 2 years ago) …..So I guess that is really my personality…..
Brigid says
Ooooh, I love personality quizzes!!
EmilyRose says
Entering to pass on to a friend 🙂
Adele says
We’re looking forward to your sheep and wool festival here in Wisconsin and yarn is the perfect way to get excited. I always enjoy reading your links.
Krista says
Lovely looking yarn!
Lyne says
I have been looking for a tortilla recipe. Can’t wait to try this one.
Miranda says
Thank you for the links and the giveaway! 🙂
Sue K says
Still INTJ. Always.
Beautiful yarn, btw.
Renee says
Love the yarn! It looks so soft!
Sunshine says
That yarn looks very soft! 🙂
Charlotte says
Beautiful yarn! I know my daughter would love knitting with it.
The guy who wrote the “slam dunk of a post” is actually a Dominican priest we used to know from our University of Dallas days, Fr. Philip Powell, OP. He’s written two great books that are collections of prayers and novenas. I asked him to sign ours… like a rock star! He blushed. 😉
Lisa says
Things may actually be different is stupid hurt physically. Love the list and plan to take more time to peruse it. Interesting stuff!
I took the quiz. I go back and forth on Meyers-Briggs tests as either ISFJ or ISTJ. No matter what, I am always clearly an introvert.
The yarn is gorgeous. I have been looking for the right thing to make for a coworker who is due this month. These little mittens would be perfect!
Thanks for all the fun links.
Lacy says
I also go back and forth: always an IN, but sometimes an INTJ (Buzzfeed says I’m an octopus, but my mother was sure I’d be a wolf) and today an INFP. I must be feeling more peaceful and cooperative today than usual.
We have several new babies in the family this year. I’m excited about them all, but most especially about my first niece who will be joining us this fall. She surely needs an adorable pair of mittens from that scrumptious yarn. 😉
Suzanne says
Love this giveaway. I would love to make those cute mittens for my daughters!
Elizabeth says
Yarn giveaway? I’m in! I love knitting baby things–so sweet and quick!
Elizabeth says
What lovely yarn! Thank you for the giveaway chance.
Anni S says
What a sweet giveaway! That yarn looks like a dream to work with!
Colette says
You had me at yarn. There is no such thing as too much and this looks so lovely! Enjoying the links as always 🙂
Joy says
Those mittens are adorable. I look forward to Bits & Pieces each week. Thanks for sharing, especially the personality test and tortilla recipe. I must try those!
Woman of the House says
What sweet mitts! They would be perfect for my second granddaughter, who should be arriving at the end of the month. 🙂
Thank you for doing {bits & pieces} each week. I look forward to it!
beth p. says
Lovely yarn and a very sweet little pattern. Grandchild #3 is on the way in a couple of weeks and some mitts would be nice for the coming winter. Thanks for the giveaway!
CarlynB says
I must be getting more extroverted in my middle age. According to the test in the link I’m an ENFP, but when I was younger I usually scored as an INFP on the MBTI tests I took.
Jennifer H. says
Thanks for the blog. I visit so often for inspiration & benefit from your wisdom! God Bless You & keep the great posts coming.
Patty bl says
I’d love to win this!!
craftyone says
I like the pattern & yarn and would like to build my knitting resume since I am a beginner. It seems simple enough.
Kelli says
Thank you for the informative links and giveaway. 🙂
Isabelle says
The bad-samaritanism link really struck a cord with me, my son is only a month old, but every time he cries for more than a few minutes, I start panicking that the neighbours will call social services and accuse me of negligence (my neighbours are lovely though!)
NB: much as I would love to win, don’t enter me in the giveaway unless international shipping is an option, I live in England
Bev says
I finally learned the magic loop method and would love to try it with this yarn!
Jenny says
Yarn! Mitts! Links! What’s not to like?
Gwen says
Thanks for the beer bottle link! My brewing husband thought it was hilarious!
Jamie says
Let’s talk knitting yarn bowls……I’ve never seen that before……
Heather says
Thank you for all of the great links. I was really interested in the one about African women and marriage. Of course, I’d like toendterthe giveaway!
Sarah C says
What a great giveaway! My daughter and I are just learning to knit!
Allison says
“Laundry Problems Start with Clothes” All I could think when I saw that (and I agree with what you wrote in that post) was “Laundry Problems Start with Stomach Viruses”. All this week, moved to the third child today. {bits & pieces} is always a bit of a respite, but in particular this week.
Kate says
I’d love to win the yarn — thanks for hosting!
Kristi says
happy to enter the giveaway! and always enjoy b&p!
Nancy says
the yarn is absolutely yum-looking- makes one look forward to winter knitting!
Love the rest of the post, too, btw. I’m looking forward to trying the homemade tortillas.
Jennifer Minson says
who doesn’t need more yarn!
Emily says
The yarn looks beautiful! Thank you for the giveaway!
Karri says
Beautiful Yarn. I would love to knit something soft with it 🙂
Heidi says
Lovely! I really enjoy all of your blog posts and can think of a list of beautiful creations from that yarn. 🙂
Jennie C. says
Yarn! And tortillas! We’ve been using a similar recipe for years and they are dee-liscious! Plus, the kids have races to see who can roll the most. 🙂
Erin says
I worry a lot about overparenting. I live in a city with a very low brithrate and am expecting a 4th. My 8yo would love more freedom, and she’s ready for it, but the reaction of others gives me pause. If they came to me and talked about their concerns it would be no big deal, but I am freaked out over the idea that someone could anonymously tattle on me to CPS for letting the 8yo go to the park across the street alone. its hard to navigate!
I’d love the yarn, of course!
Carrie says
Lovely yarn and a post so full of reading material I think I better go make myself a cup of tea and dig in!
Anne Marie says
Oh my goodness that yarn is beautiful. Please pick me!
coleen says
The yarn looks lovely…..hope I win.
Kate says
The yarn looks fabulous! I have never tried knitting mittens……..just a hat, and tons and tons of dish cloths.;)
~Kate
Siné says
That yarn certainly does look delicious!
Briana says
Lovely. I would like to try knitting mittens. I’ve only made scarves and blankets so far.
Robin says
Ooh, pretty yarn! Will have to fight my daughter for it if I win…still watching our way through all the wonderful “kid snippets” videos the “math class” link put us onto last week. So funny! Our favorite is the Star Wars Cantina scene. 🙂
Holly says
Out of all the online personality quizzes I’ve taken (and I’ve taken a few), this was one of my favorites. Thanks! (ISTJ, btw)
Emily M says
Thank you for the lovely giveaway!
Sarah King says
What lovely yarn! Thanks for the giveaway and the links this week- I will definitely be trying the tortillas.
Mary Ann B. says
Oooh what lovely yarn! Enter me please!
Merry says
I want to touch them. They look super soft!
wahoomerryf on Ravelry
Linda says
Beautiful YARN!! Thanks for the giveaway.
Barbara says
What beautiful yarn. Love your website and learn so many things that I have to try. I am new at knitting and would love to make something special with this lovely yarn. Blessings, Barbara
Nicole says
I just took that personality quiz with my husband a few nights back! Quite interesting!
Margaret says
The bad Samaritan link also got me. We live in a small town where everyone knows everyone, so I don’t worry about it when we are home. Moms leave babies in the car to run into the post office here, kids unattended at the library while they run to the market, etc. it’s nice because you know there are people around who know you, and will cone find you if something is wrong. However, when we leave our town I get paranoid! I feel like I don’t know how much to let my daughter run around a store, or how much to let her bother strangers, etc. she’s two so often trying to stop the behavior encourages it as much as anything!
Would love the yarn, of course!
Cassidy says
Thank you for the giveaway!!
Dia says
This is a lovely blog.
Libby Fenn says
Such sweet little mitts!
Monica says
I’ve been recovering from giving birth and then going into septic shock, so my husband has been doing the laundry (and most other stuff) and it’s his least favorite thing — the only chore I’ve ever heard him complain about, which is saying something since we’ve been married 12 years and have 5 kids… so I’m thinking he might need some of Auntie Leila’s laundry advice!
Anne says
I love that pattern, so sweet and so sensible to leave off the thumb.
Teresa says
I would love to win the yarn!
I have taken Myers-Briggs tests before and the results vary wildly. I’m definitely I, but pretty close to the middle on the others, I think. This one says INFP, but the description doesn’t sound like me.
laura says
I love knitting and would love a chance to win some beautiful, soft yarn. Thanks!
Mary Lou says
Just wondering if many of you are familiar with The Four Temperaments by Fr. Hock … ?Actually there are many and new books written with modern day applications. I think one is The Temperament of Your Spouse and The Temperament God gave you. These are so useful in the relationship department …. Our family has used these for 25 years … it helps take the mystery out of the mystery many times 🙂 The kids and we understand them/ourselves so much better and accept things (as God’s will) or try to work on ourselves (also God’s will! 🙂
And just to make you smile, we have discovered that the bunnies (whose fiber is in the give away yarn!) have tendencies toward some of the temperaments also! Very fun!
Amy says
Would love to win. Very much enjoy your website.
Julianne says
Hurray for beautiful yarn!
Karen says
Truly delicious yarn. Would be wonderful to feel and knit.
Thank you for offering this giveaway.
Tara says
Love the yarn!
Jennifer Estoll says
Hooray for soft yarn!!
M says
I’m returning to knitting after a year’s hiatus and it’s been fun getting back to it. Would love the chance to try this yarn. Looks scrumptious.
Theresa (Haus Frau) says
Well what knitter could resist a yarn giveaway? :). Thanks for hosting, and all the links and advice, as always.
Ashley says
The yarn looks great. Thanks for the giveaway!
Elizabeth says
count me in on the give away! lovely posts as always! :)))
Laura J says
The mitten pattern looks like fun and the yarn absolutely gorgeous! I love your blog and am in the process of implementing your laundry system at my house.
Becky says
What beautiful yarn and mits! Thanks for the giveaway oppurtunity!
Emily says
I would love to win! Thank you for hosting this giveaway! =)
Nina says
A lovely giveaway and always my favorite blog to read!
Caitlin says
I’d love that yarn! I’m always inspired to start a new project, but I can’t afford to buy the supplies. Time to build a stash!
Margie says
Would love to win!
Betsy M says
Beautiful mitts and yarn! Thanks.
Courtney says
Beautiful mitts and yarn! Thanks.
Kimberly Haren says
I’ve spent the last 7 months learning to crochet. I am leaning to love an appreciate the difference in yarn and loveliness like such. Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway!
Leigh Sabey says
What a fun giveaway, I would love to win! Thank you.
Donna L. says
What beautiful yarn! Thank you for giving us a chance to win!
Ruth Anne says
Love a yarn giveaway!
Lori says
What a lovely giveaway! I would love to win the yarn. 🙂
Andrea B says
Those mittens look so cozy and uber cute!
Katie says
Thank you for offering this giveaway. I am a beginning knitter with a baby due in October – those mittens are precious!
Shelly says
That yarn looks wonderful and the mitts super cute!
Amy V says
So pretty and soft looking. I need to make some baby things for a co-worker. This would be super!
Cassandra Brungardt says
The yarn sounds lovely! We are expecting our first grandchild in November so this yarn would be perfect!
Laurel says
I’ve never knitted a pair of mittens before. How wonderful it would be to do a pair for my little girl with this beautiful yarn!
Molly says
Thanks for the giveaway! I would love to advance my knitting skills and am in need of a new project
Crissy says
May God bless you all for making this giveaway possible.
I love seeing generosity from the heart. : )
Kris says
Beautifying the world one skein at a time! Such a nice giveaway!
Dovile says
I’d love to enter the giveaway too if it’s open internationally. Thank you!
Deirdre says
Thanks for all of your comments! And thank you for being our readers! This givaway is now closed.