My Little Pumpkin

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Ready for Treats

I just finished Jonas' Halloween costume. It took me three days to make it, and I sewed it all by myself! It's the first garment I've sewed. Finally, I can do more than pillows and pillowcases. (I still like knitting best, though.)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

One Week Ago

I can't believe it's already been a week since we took this picture on our way to SAFF. 

Last year I decided that I would be a drop spindle kit at SAFF this year and learn to spin. Unfortunately the vendor I wanted to get my kit from wasn't there this year so I decided to come home and buy a kit from my LYS. Renee and I bought needle felting items to try that out. I really don't have the gift for needle felting, and I've already stabbed myself a couple times. I think I should call it quits on that!

We dragged ourselves away reluctanctly and drove back to Cherokee with a Volvo packed with yarn, needles, roving, handmade soaps and patterns. After a brief nap for Jonas, we headed down to dinner at Paula Deen's. Friday night the service was great, the food so-so. Saturday night the service was some of the worst I've ever had, the food good but salty. I ate a spinach salad with warm bacon dressing and the crab stew. Then Jason and Joe went to see WILLIE NELSON in a small concert. I really, really wish I had gone because I lurve Willie, but I was dog tired. (And it was the only chance for the men to have some father-son time since Jason went to SAFF with Renee and me).

Sunday morning we were up early to drive to the Pancake House in Gatlinburg. How crazy are we that we stood outside in 38* for 30ish minutes waiting to get inside and get our table? Apparently, it's tradition in Gburg to eat at this place and wait in the crazy line. The food was pretty good, but I find it suspicious that Jonas and Jason have both been battling colds this week.....

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Mommy's Helper

Things were quiet. Too quiet. I came upstairs expecting to find him in a puddle of pee from a potty training accident, and instead I found him cleaining the bathroom mirror. Good. I'll add that to his future list of chores.

Meanwhile, the potty training accident happened 15 minutes later. At least it was on the hardwood floor and not one of the few carpeted spots in the house!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Jacob Sheep

Yes. It has FOUR horns. 

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Sooooo Good!

Paula Dean's at Cherokee was good. I ate a low country boil. The sausage was a tad too spicy. And this is coming from someone who can eat a whole bottle of Chalula's in one sitting.

Now I'm experiencing my first gelato. It's BLUEBERRY, and I'm in love!

Tomorrow I'm going to have crab stew and a salad, and for dessert I'll have the RASPBERRY SWIRL gelato. Yay!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Roadtrip Knitting

We're on our way to Fletcher, NC for the Southeastern Animal & Fiber Festival (www.saffsite.org). I'm endlessly knitting a shopping bag for the goodies I'll buy tomorrow. I have another bag for my shopping in case I don't get the woolie one finished in time!

We're eating at Paula Dean's at Harrah's in Cherokee tonight. I already have on my stretchy pants....

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Wishes & Stitches, update

Just finished Wishes & Stitches. Yes, it's 2:30 in the morning. But once Jonas & the house were taken care of, and after I went to a very long P.E.O. meeting, I finally got to curl up with the book. I couldn't put it down. I could totally relate to the lead character, Naomi. I think this was her best book, yet. Can't wait to see what Rachael comes up with next!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Wishes & Stitches

The third book in Rachael Herron's Cypress Hollow series is out today!  I just downloaded my copy, and I can't wait to read it.

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Manwell for Jax

I just finished The Manwell. It's been a little over a year since the last time I saw Lara's wee dog, Jax, but I'm fairly certain this sweater is too big for him. Perhaps he can wear it as a nightgown? Hopefully La will get at least one pic of Jax wearing it, and I'll post it as soon as she sends it.

Now back to the baby cardi and the Christmas stocking.....

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Overdue Book Review

See the Rachael Herron books listed above? Go. Buy. Them. Or buy digital copies like me. (And be sure to check out Rachael's blog at www.yarnagogo.com.)  

A Life in Stitches is the latest release. It's a book of personal essays. Rachael's writing is like having your BFF sitting next to on the couch, gabbing over chai lattes. I laughed. I cried. (The essays about her mom really hit me since I continue to battle emotions regarding Mom and her MS.) I promised myself that this time I really would post a blog about Rachael's mad writing skills. 

How to Knit a Love Song and How to Knit a Heart Back Home are the first two novels in the Cypress Hollow Yarn Series. I'm eagerly awaiting #3.  They have everything- yarn, romance, strong heroines, yarn, zippy dialogue, plausible plot lines, yarn, and a knitting pattern at the end of the book. Did I mention yarn?

Honeymooning is a short story that features two characters from Cypress Hollow. It's a fun, quick read. Your Rachael Herron Collection will not be complete without it.

I wish I could describe the books in such a way that you'd trip over yourself in your haste to buy them, but I don't have the words. Be assured that if I bought them for my nook, that means I love them enough to a) KEEP THEM FOREVER and b) CARRY THEM WITH ME WHEREVER I TRAVEL. If that's not convincing, what is? 

Be sure to check out Rachael's blog!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Another WIP

Baby sweater for a February baby (not mine), great book of baby patterns, and Jonas' new Halloween flashlight (when you turn on the light, it says 'boooooo').

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Watching the Lincoln Days Parade

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Back By Popular Demand

I know I should get back to blogging, and Michelle has now asked me twice to resume the project of the month blogs.  

I'm currently working on The Manwell.  It's a turtleneck dog sweater designed by Stephanie Michaud and printed in Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders. I'm using Lion Brand Magic Stripes yarn in #201 Denim Stripe. (I use this yarn A LOT since I bought about 20 balls of it on super clearance back in 2006. I know. Yarn hoarder. In my defense, sock yarn was very rare in the Hardin-LaRue area back then....)

As for the challenge this month, I will knit Jonas a two-color Christmas stocking. Fingers crossed.

And hey, it's nice to see ya'll again, dear readers!

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi