Where Does the Time Go?

Can't believe that it's almost Halloween! What have I been doing with my days? Since September, we've been to Vermont (for a meeting) and Baltimore (for 2 days of knitting classes and 3 days of great food). Chris has been back to Baltimore for a genealogy meet and I took a bus ride to Rhinebeck, NY for the Sheep and Wool Festival. Heard that the Maryland S&W is MUCH better (and larger) - wonder if I'm brave enough to try that next spring?!?

Coming along well on BD's 'colors' blanket - strip one is finished and I've started on strip two. Liking the pattern designs - from Liesure Arts Sampler Afghans #932 using Patons Canadiana.



JEs sweater (Sirdar Snuggly 3936) in purple with a hood. This is a new technique for me - a mock smocking pattern.



It's coming along great and the color is SOOO JE! Working with chunky yarn makes the stitches stand out (also shows any errors so accuracy is important) and it is going so quickly. I should have the back finished this weekend!

Ok, so I've been working on items for BD and JE, but what about JC? The boy of many hats - Do I make a hat or some crazy kind of scarf? Does he even wear a scarf? In the planning stage, but need a consult with his Mom.

And here we have a photo of our last adventure! Sayville NY, Chris' first BBQ judging event! Yes, Chris is a certified Kansas City BBQ Judge - and the perfect weather was only enhanced by the opportunity to try food cooked by teams of BBQ specialists!

Judging is quite a science - it's more tasting and reviewing than eating en mass. These people are very serious. If you ate everything you were served, you wouldn't be able to get off the chair at the end of the day. Suffice to say, leftovers can be taken home and are VERY welcome.

Jeff, if you're out there, you missed a great time. We'll sign you up for the next judging!

Can this be Alice in Wonderland?? Yes, it's JE in disguise - costume I made for Halloween. I believe this costume came into being as JE liked the shoes! Amelda in the working!!

Count Dracula (aka JC) is primed to hoot and spook with his great cape and vest- in this photo he was awaiting his "fangs" but trying on the outfit to show how it fits!

The parties have begun and the grandchildren are treating and tricking - quite a difference from on our street where we MAY have one or two visitors on the 31st!

This year BD will be the well loved "elephant" - Great costume - keeps the babies warm and a favorite of Mom's until the children are big enough to decide what they want to be.

Next year we'll have 4 trick or treater Grandchildren! Jenny and Brian are expecting in March - right in 'birthday ally". Wonder what the costumes for next year will be?? I know we'll need at least one more knitted Pumpkin Hat!

Other projects in the works are convertible mittens (the first knitted item I'm making for Chris); A sewed fleece vest for me (project we're making in the machine sewing class I teach at Northport Adult Ed). Also finished handmaking a few items which will be revealed toward the end of the year as they are Christmas gifts for family members.

'Till next time. D