Leaf Peepin'

When I left them last week, Soft Jack and Mumbly were safely deposited in the comfy abode in the middle of the Catskill Park.  They know how to get to the Supermarket, Bread Shop and most importantly, the Wine Shop.  The weather has been perfect and the leaves are just starting to show signs that Autumn is on it's way.

When I'm up there again this weekend I shall take more photos of these two views and note what colour changes have occurred. (It's all very scientific!)

We surprised the 'rents by inviting a few of my friends over for the long weekend.  They arrived car load by car load and I was worried that having 5, noisy, pre-teens in the house might be too much for them but they seemed to relish the company after 4 days of peace.

Though the woods at the bottom of the garden ran a stream which the kids enjoyed splashing in.  It was here that Annabel found the perfect spot to pose in her new knitted dress.  I was worried that it may be too small but it fit like it was made for her.  (It was actually made for her but you know what I mean.)

My beautiful friends:  

(Photo taken before Shae tripped and bashed her face on a metal chair.  She had us all worried that she'd knocked out her front teeth when her Dad carried her in the house, screaming with a mouth full of blood.  She was whisked away to the dentist and am relieved to say that her teeth are fine but she'll have a bit of a fat lip for a few days.)  Here's wishing you a fast recovery, lovey.  If she's anything like her mother, she'll grow up to be a tough, daredevil - laughing in the face of danger ;o)

I have more sense.  Here I am working AND keeping out of the sun. (what a girly wuss!)

I love my friends and miss them too much!  Hopefully, we can make this a regular event.

I couldn't resist taking this shot of Rolly:

I tried to get him to take the same shot with the fella, Lucky and I in the frame -  You can't tell by this but we were laughing so much at the bad job that he was doing that I'm surprised we're not just a blur!

Arh - good times.  Looking forward to returning this weekend!

Country Livin' - A Waiting Game?

Camping.

Waiting in Spud while the fella gets the shopping in.





Waiting for dinner.

Waiting for Mama to come back from the loo.

Waiting for bedtime.

Waiting for love?

There was an awful lot of waiting around for the tow truck, as we had to be towed in and out of the campsite. (Very long and pitiful story.)


Summer holiday at a log cabin in Andes.

Waiting for the sun to burn through the morning fog.









Waiting for the sun to come out at a Farmers' Market.

Waiting for the parents to arrive.

There was some knitting done whilst most of this waiting around was taking place - picture evidence will follow.

R.I.P. Pud

You were a fab little car.  I loved your bright yellow colour and how easy you were to pick out of a crowd.  You were the perfect car for me during the driving-on-major-roads period of my life.

I'm sorry I mistook you for a Jeep or a tank, (I'd really love a tank!)  I'm sorry I made you drive over those rocky roads, scraping off your plastic, protective, underbelly, leaving your tender organs exposed to the elements.  I'm sorry I killed you.  I'll never forget you, Pud.

Baking, Knitting, Fruit and Dogs

A couple of my lovely friends/workmates (plus cute dog), came over to play on Saturday. This event awoke my baking gene prompting a need to make shortbread.

It went down a treat with several pots of tea.

I love how creative my friends are and that they brought projects with them to work on while they were here.

I finished the top for my co-worker's baby and even managed to whip up a matching hat.

Lucky was excited to have a playmate visit her.  They chased one another all over the loft and had great fun playing tug of war, (managing to litter the floor with the stuffing from several toys!)

Lucky was heart broken when he left!

After all those shortbread  biscuits it felt good to eat a nice plate of fruit.  Arhh, I love weekends when they're not full of work and tasks and boring grown-up stuff.

Early August

Fella is worth his weight in gold. Not only is he lovely and funny but sooo talented.

Delicious, healthy, homemade snap.  The pate is amazing!

Bunch of flowers, (said a la Eddie Izzard),

Happy card for no occasion.  

It's only 7:30am and he's already scrubbed the tub and cleaned the rest of the bathroom! (Thanks luv, you're the best ;o) )

Met up with NYC SnB on Tuesday in Wholefoods, (the bread pudding was excellent!)  So good to hang with my old knitting chums.  So sad to leave.  God I miss New York!

Jill A was wearing yarn on her head, as usual!

Colourful, weavey, kite, thingys in Macy's window.

Flask o tea and knitting on the train.

Pattern: Just a Little Undershirt

Stash yarn.

For Maggie's bump.  (baby shower tomorrow, should be a good laugh!)

Finally got around to starting my own Flirty Skirty.  Wrote the pattern years ago but gave my skirt to Kraemer for yarn promotion.  Keep making mistakes in the lace pattern as I'm not concentrating.  Can't be bothered to rip and fix!

It's early on Saturday.  I have a little knitting for work to do and some freelance jacquard designs.  The sun is shining a pretty, almost orange light on the high-risers around us.  Looks like it's going to be a lovely daaay, lovely day, lovely day, lovely day, love-lee day.  (Name that tune - heheheee.)

Annabel is 5

What a glorious, sun-filled, visit we had to New Hampshire last weekend! It was an island of blue-sky, beauty set amidst the grey and drizzle which has been the rest of this month.

The reason for our trip? Annabel's fifth birthday, where fun was had by all. I didn't get any photos of the birthday action because I was far too busy enjoying it!

Here's the star of the show on her birthday eve:

See what alcohol does to a young girl's teeth!

Oh! Thank Goodness for the speed of dental surgery!

I don't have any photos of us playing with the Whoopie Cushion....

But here are some shots of the little Ester Williams in action:

Here's Rugby Robb with a bad case of Irish Handcuffs. It's only the sleeping doggie bookends that are keeping him upright!!

Whenever we go to Chez Annabel, it's like a spending time at a Kibbutz, wherein we get assigned tasks. This year's tasks where not too difficult.

Supplies for the party had to be picked up from Memories:

The three of us had to sample the merchandise to make sure it was up to scratch!

There's my Cookie Dough Waffle Cone at the window!


Lucky wanted French Vanilla.

These earless goats wanted a piece of the action. (Why would you cut off a goat's ears? It makes me sad.)

I was set the arduous task of finishing this sweater knit by Annabel's mother and grandmother. I think it had been languishing in the project bag for quite some time so it may have to go to Annabel's young cousin instead.

During the long drive to and from our destination, I got started on this dress for Annabel:

Pattern: Elanka.

Yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton in gorgeous oranges. (I want one just like it - only much bigger!)

This weekend I taught the fella how to machine knit. He took to it like a duck to water and is making himself a blanket out of some of my stash yarn:
He wants to learn how to use the sock machine next but that means I have to teach myself how to use it properly first. Maybe next weekend?

Big Girl's Land Update: I put in an offer on Friday - Keep your fingers crossed!!

Happy Summer!!