When I was a little girl, my mother wanted to teach me how to crochet. I refused. Now, I have an urge to learn how to crochet and knit and quilt -- all the things my mother had wanted to teach me as a teenager. I remember thinking that it would never be a skill that I'd enjoy and it would never be useful to me.

The funniest thing is that the two most precious blankets I own are the ones that have been crocheted by both of my grandmothers. Each grandmother, lovingly and painstakingly, stitched a blanket for me. They are huge comforter-type blankets that I sometimes put on my bed, just as a display and not for actual use. In giving or receiving gifts, for me, the homemade gifts are the best. I prefer something that was handmade over anything storebought. I can't think of anything storebought that is better than something that was made by hand. Homemade stuff come directly from the heart. When someone gives of their time and talents, they are truly committed!

People usually ask me to bake stuff or cook something. That seems to be my talent. That is my homemade gift to the world - my talent in cooking and baking. I also scrapbook. Friends and family seem to love my talent in that area. My writing skills are called on also and I've been known to plan events. But right now, I just want to learn to crochet.