November 2025 – Ruth E. Hendricks

The Countdown Begins

My friend Jen lent us her festive Advent Calendar as I’ve three grandchildren living with me right now. (And their parents) I’m sure the excitement level will increase as each day draws closer.

I was hard pressed to think of what to put in the pocket for the first day.

Ahhh, I’d purchased some Christmas colored M&Ms the other day at Aldi. Fortunately I had a lot of little mesh bags ( thank you for tip, Joanne)

I usually put my homemade knitting markers in the bags for knitting friends.

My five year old granddaughter said the calendar was good for math !

This evening we went to Nine lessons and Carols for Advent and the music was so beautiful at Calvary Episcopal Church in Shadyside.

November 30, 2025 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: Advent calendar, Anticipation, childhood, Christmas, family, friendship, holiday, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday 12 Comments

November 30, 2011

At 5:24 pm Nov 30, 2011

**Carrie Furnace** on the Monongahela River

I photograph Carrie Furnce when I’m over Homestead way

Another blogpost. Another view 2011

And one from 2014.

November 29, 2025 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: autumn, blast Furnace, Carrie Furnace, Monongahela, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, river, Steel Industry, weather 4 Comments

Lollipop Stick Holding Gusset Stitches

Car knitting today.

I needed to hold stitches for the gusset, the thumb hole. No barber cord, no pony bead lacing, no waste yarn available in the car. Old Halloween litter from a school party. I bent the Tootsie Roll Pop stick to hold the stitches while I continued to knit up the hand of the mitten. Pattern is Quick Bulky Mitten by Aimee Pelletier

Woolly Thistle Bag. **Malabrigo Caracol**
purchased last year in Millvale at **McWalker Yarns**

“Malabrigo Caracol is hand-dyed, super bulky superwash merino wool yarn reminiscent of stained glass art.”

I stopped by a friend’s house to drop off some yarn. Took and Jack’s leaves are reminiscent of the yarn colors.

November 28, 2025 by Ruth Categories: Fiber Art, knitting, PhotographyTags: Aimee Pelletier, autumn leaves, bulky yarn, knitting, leaves, litter, Malabrigo, mitten, neighborhood, photo of the day, photography, postaday, Tootsie Roll Pop 9 Comments

Our Dinner Guest Chef Sam

Chef Sam cut up the cucumbers without looking (on my Pennsylvania cutting board thanks Grandson Jack) to add to the salad.

Short video link

https://youtube.com/shorts/BNo2e48tb88?si=M0ky0Ap5IfLfmlU5

And look at the homemade rolls he baked

November 27, 2025 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: chef Sam, cooking, cutting board, food prep, kitchen, knife skills, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday 5 Comments

Grateful

A special card in the mail from granddaughter in Kindergarten.

November 26, 2025 by Ruth Categories: PhotographyTags: family, granddaughter, mail, photography, postaday, thanksgiving 24 Comments

Wordless Wednesday

November 25, 2025 by Ruth Categories: Photography, Wordless WednesdayTags: goose, humor, neighborhood, Northside, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, turkey, Yard Art 6 Comments

Spotted Whistling Ducks

Sunday morning we went to the National Aviary on the Northside of Pittsburgh. .

“Spotted Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna guttata) is a medium-sized duck native to Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines, known for its whistling calls and pale spots on its neck and flanks. It is primarily nocturnal, feeding on plants and seeds in wetlands, and often roosts in trees during the day. This species is gregarious and can be found in flocks, nesting in tree holes. “ Wikipedia

November 24, 2025 by Ruth Categories: Birds, PhotographyTags: birds, family, National Aviary, photography, Pittsburgh PA, postaday, rainforest, spotted whistling ducks 2 Comments

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper

What a great invention.

My friend Linda recommended purchasing these pre-but rounds when we were in King Arthur Flour in Vermont last month. I’m so glad I did. I used them for 3 – 8 inch layers for two family birthdays in November.