It's an extra special day today; it's my grandmothers 94th birthday! And while I can't spend time with her on her big day, I was lucky enough to have spent time with her for a few days during the late summer.
While she doesn't do a lot these days, some of the nicest memories I have are her cooking, knitting, canning homemade jams, and sharing stories from the past. However, her circumstances have changed a great deal in the last 10 years. During the holidays, when she was more mobile and independent, I would drive from New York City to Pennsylvania to pick her up, and then we would drive down to Kentucky the next morning. It was really one of my favorite fall/winter experiences. We did this for many years, and she was a great road trip buddy who never hesitated between stories tell me, "Come on, Rani! Let's go! Faster! Faster!". Once on the way home, she even demanded we stop at a roadside ceramic store during a blizzard. Yup, true story.... and still makes me laugh today.
So in the spirit of creating something that she inspired me to learn, I knitted her a lap blanket. It was my first large piece done with a simple knit stitch where I alternated between a couple of her favorite hues. It is by no means perfect, but its huge, soft, and super warm for the inevitable snowy winters of Pennsylvania....It's something I think she would have loved a lot.
I hope your day is filled with love, chocolate, and bluejays (her favorites)...Happy Birthday Grandma. xo
