Sandy, Halloween and 40

To all of you out there still experiencing the wrath of Sandy, my thoughts go out to you.  I have read that several of you are okay, but still waiting to hear about other blogging friends. What a horrible storm Sandy is, such a nice, serene name for a storm that has packed a huge punch.  Sandy has brought us unseasonably cool temps here in Florida, with a very brisk breeze.  It is hard to enjoy this beautiful Autumn weather when I know so many of you are living with property damage, flooding and no electricity. Again, my thoughts are with you all.

Halloween is my FAVORITE holiday.  I know that might be a little crazy, but I just love it.  I loved it even before Mr. 18 year old was born on this fun day.  So tomorrow he will be known as Mr. 19 year old, at least for a year anyway.  I decorated my house a few weeks ago, for myself apparently, because no one else living here seemed to notice, or care.  I have shown you a few pictures before but wanted to show you a few more before I have to pack up and get ready for Thanksgiving.

 There is a huge spider hanging on my light.

 My lamp proudly wears this witches hat.

 My mantle is decorated with lots of Halloween fun.

 On my dining room table is my favorite decoration of all.  I do this every year and I swear my family does not seem to get the humor in it.  

 I finished Mr Soon-to-be 19 year old's hat last night.  Number 40 completed project of the year for me!  I have it wrapped up and it is ready to ship out to him this afternoon.  He informed me that it was 34 degrees out last night, his thin blooded, Floridian body is getting a bit of a shock.  I also put warm woolen socks and long undies in his care package.

Okay, I just had to do this before I shipped this hat out.  Hope Mr. Soon-to-be 19 year old has a nice birthday tomorrow, fun but not too much fun, if you know what I mean.  And I wish you all a Happy Halloween. Stay safe.

Packer Scarves

I have been a busy girl this week,  My crochet hook has been smoking.  And I have to admit my forearm is a little sore, because every time I sat down I tried to get a few more stitches in.  What has been so important you ask?  An Etsy order for three Green Bay Packer scarves.  Since I am a Packer fan this has been a fun order to fill.  I had to order the perfect color yarn, which took a while to arrive, so I tried to hurry to get the order complete.

Do you want to see?

These were made from a combination Berroco Pure Pima, for the golden yellow, and Cascade Yarns Pima Tencel, for the pine green.  I think I got the colors perfectly matched as I held them up to the framed Brett Favre jersey we have in our office.  See I told you we were fans.

For all you lovely friends overseas, The Green Bay Packers are a football (not soccer) team located in lovely Green Bay, Wisconsin. Brett Favre was an amazing quarterback for the Packers. We Packer fans take our team seriously, thus the need for flowered scarves in Green Bay Packer colors.

I had just enough yarn for a little flower coaster for the lovely woman who ordered these scarves.  I hope she enjoys her tea or coffee with a little Packer fun.

What have you been up to this week?

O-H-I-O

We are home from our very quick trip to Columbus, Ohio.  Boy did I have a great time seeing my son.  He swam in an inter-squad meet to get ready for the season.  He did well considering the team is way, way bigger than I thought.  He is definitely near the bottom of the barrel, but that is where he should be as a Freshman.  He is bigger, stronger, and a lot paler.  Not much sun there in Columbus.  We were greeted by Mr. 18 year old at his dorm on Friday.  We were able to get him a quick meal before he had to return to the pool.  We saw him at the meet, then he went out for pizza with us.  

Saturday there was an Alumni meet which we were able to see despite the ridiculous, cold rain pouring down.  After a quick hug after the meet we went to the Ohio State/Purdue game.  Very fun, very cold and windy, and did I say cold?  I am a thin blooded Florida girl, the wind whipping around the stadium was fierce. Lucky for us the rain had stopped so we were not getting drenched, too.

                                              We saw some beautiful Autumn colors.

We had a great time even though we left a little early and missed the best part of the game.

I finished Mr. 18 year old's scarf in the hotel room

He actually put it on so I could take his picture!  We took him to dinner and shopping for winter apparel Saturday evening.  Then it was time to see his dorm room and say good bye.  First the dorm room wasn't near as messy as I thought it was going to be.  His room mate is a bit obsessive about cleanliness.  I can guarantee you they are not well matched  but that is part of the whole experience isn't it? I shed a few tears knowing I won't see him until Thanksgiving.  But he is happy, healthy and I think doing well.  What more could you ask for?

Second Sleeve Syndrome

I am suffering from severe second sleeve syndrome.  I have been knitting away on my Sawetelle sweater, row after garter stitch row.  I have made really great progress until I finished the first sleeve.  That is when things came to a screeching halt. 

 As much as I love this project, and I am sure I will love it a lot more when it is not lurking in the project basket screaming at me to finish it.  I have become distracted.  I plead guilty on all accounts of have a bit of Attention Deficit when it come to knitting and crochet.

 I realized two days ago that a friend needed these flowers.  So I whipped them up and now they have been starched and are drying.

 Then I realized that I am going to see my son in a few days and I needed something festive to wear in Ohio State colors.  I bought this yarn ages ago to make a scarf for him, so selfishly I made one for myself instead.  I still have more than enough yarn for him, and out of guilt I casted on 27 stitches for his scarf last night.  Another garter stitch project, but one with very little thought about construction, just a few simple stripes here and there.  We know boys, at least this boy, he will lose it just about as fast as he can

.  

So I swear upon my knitting honor that I will resume the Sawtelle sweater just as soon as I am back from my weekend seeing my son.  I will work on his scarf until then, but when I get back it is sweater time all the way.  By the way my scarf is finished project of the year number 35.  And I have approximately 51 hours until I can see my boys beautiful face.  Hooray!!!!

I'm Missing........

 I'm missing sweet little toes and cute hands.

 I'm missing sweet baby sounds, snuggling, and the yummy way babies smell.

 I'm missing Mr. 18 year old something fierce.  I get to see him next weekend and I can't wait.  I just want to hug the stuffing out of him, and just see his beautiful face.

 I'm missing Autumn, my favorite season.  The beautiful leaves, the crisp air, the smell.......sigh.

I could only find one leaf that had changed color.

I'm missing when my boys were little and got so excited about Halloween.  When the decorations went up they were so excited!

I have decorated my whole house, and I don't think anyone noticed but me.

What Max is not missing is sweet little toes and cute little hands. Sweet happy sounds coming from a baby, or a little person snuggling with his Mom.  Now things can get back to normal.

Are you missing anything today?

Shhhhh......

Shhhhh.  There is a very cute little person sleeping at my house right now.  He is one of my patients and he is here with me for a couple of days.  Want a peek? 

 His family is having a grand old time at a local beach hotel doing some very fun things, things that may be just a little overwhelming to this little one.  So he has come to visit with me for a few days.  We plan to snuggle, rock, go for stroller rides, snuggle, have a bath in the sink, play on the floor, snuggle, and work on all the things we do in therapy, oh and did I say snuggle?

This one is not all that excited about our new visitor, but he will adjust.  Life is just so hard on Max, a baby in the house just think of that! How much can a boy take?

Hope you are having a great day.

33 and 34

Today is sunny and hot!  I wish Autumn was showing her beautiful face here in Florida.  I know so many of you are experiencing the beauty of this wonderful season. I wish I could smell the crisp air, see the glorious leaves changing color, and walk with leaves crunching under my feet.  I wouldn't even mind raking a pile of leaves together, ah Autumn.....I miss you so much.

So on to some completed projects.  

 I finished another Crochet Circle Vest Shrug by Lazy T Crochet, check out this wonderful blog for lots of crocheting inspiration.  I used Vanna's Choice yarn for this project as suggested.  I am not a fan of 100% acrylic yarn, call me a yarn snob if you wish, and even though this yarn worked well for the project I am still not a fan.  It just has this different feel to it that I am not thrilled about.

 I had the same issues with the second vest as I had with the first, my gauge lengthwise was way off.  But with crochet I think you can wing it a bit and just add a lot more rows.  Because of this I sort of ran out of yarn, so this vest is not as long or wide as they gray one I made earlier.  I still like it and coming in at under $8 for the completed vest,. I think it is a winner.  Oh those Joann Fabric and Crafts coupons are a blessing.  Save a few 40% off coupons and you have made a great vest for a very reasonable amount.

 I also had a special order scarf for my sisters Claudia's Etsy store.  You have seen this before I know, but I just had to show you again.  I just love the sequins and the soft drape that weaving creates. 

 The scarf has been wrapped up and shipped out, gosh I hope the lovely woman who ordered it likes it. Don't you always feel a bit inept when someone wants to buy something you have made?  Will they like it?  Is it the right price?  Are they going to be disappointed with the final product?  Yikes!

This weekend I am bringing a bit of Autumn into my home.  I am decorating for Halloween and putting my Autumn decorations out so even if it is hot and humid outside, I can pretend it is Autumn inside.

What are you up to this weekend?

A Gift From Gracie

Have you all met Gracie of One Saylor's Log?  Well if you haven't you better head right on over there and introduce yourself, because you are in for a real treat. Gracie is one of the kindest souls you will find in the whole world.  She takes so much time to get to know you and to give you words of encouragement, and love, whenever she can.  I just adore her and I know you will too.  So sweet Gracie was having a giveaway, I was so excited because to have anything Gracie had made would be so special.  I was so shocked to hear that my name had been picked!!!!!  I was only supposed to get a very special Oregon mug and beautiful dish cloth, but Gracie being so lovely, included many other special items.  Want to have a peek?

 Look at this beautiful mug, such a gorgeous color.  It had several packets of my favorite tea, Earl Grey, yum!

 This amazing yarn Gracie skirted, washed, dried, combed and spun all by herself.  You know I LOVE yarn, but to think I have such beautiful yarn made by someone so special, just makes me want to stand up and shout for Joy!

 Here is the beautiful purple dishcloth, sorry for the wonky picture I did not notice I did not have it laid out as nicely as it deserved.  Gracie, I just may have to keep this someplace very special, as it is way too nice for my dirty dishes.

 And look what else was in the box, Cascade Pima Tencel yarn in these stunning colors.  Gracie said she put them in to cushion the mug, well that certainly works for me.  I sense some beautiful crochet blue and pink flowers with green leaves in my future.

 And this perfect tea towel of the State of Oregon.  Now I can follow Gracie, and my friend Teresa, as

they travel around their beautiful state, taking amazing pictures of the glorious countryside and sharing them with all of us.

 

Gracie had three notes in my box.

One held these beautiful blue beads from the Lewis and Clark Fort State Park.

Another held this charming, friendship bracelet that Gracie made just for me!  Am I not the luckiest gal?  Gracie you have just overwhelmed me with your generosity.  And let me tell all of you, Gracie isn't just generous with the gifts she gives, she is generous with the time she takes to reach out to her blogging friends and really connect.  For that I am eternally grateful.  I bet you know who will be mentioned in my gratitude journal today.

I hope you are all having a fantastic day.

And a side message to Angdimaggio, you asked about the blue/green monster.  He was made from Red Heart Boutique Treasure in the color Mosaic.  Hope this helps.