Monday

Cooler weather at last! Unfortunately combined with lots of rain. It rained all night and on and off all day. So my assistant and I decided to do some sewing.

We made two Halloween placemats out of blocks from a swap a while back and some fabric from my stash.

With the weather cooling down I am looking forward to my daily morning tea. My favorite mug is all dressed up and ready.

The lace KAL starts on Friday, my bag is packed, pattern printed, yarn and needles chosen, swatch knitted, come on Friday!

Historic Bethania, NC

We went to the Black Walnut Festival in Historic Bethania today. The town is very pretty and interesting and we will definitely visit it again. The festival was a bit too commercial for my taste, it was very warm and there were lots of people. I really want to see the town in its 'normal' state, without lots of visitors.

I did, however, discover a store that sells all kind of lovely things from local artisans and crafters, among them a yarn made from llama wool from a local farm, it was so soft, I just wanted to keep petting it. Definitely need to go back to that store!

And here is one especially for my friends who said YUCK about my last spider photo. ;)

Fall Decorating

Yummy!

My dear friend Liz in England sent me this yarn to use for my charity projects. I think it will make lovely slippers for the Pink Slipper Project. Thank you Liz!

Out of my mind? - Updated

I think I must be. I just added another project to my to-do list by joining this Candle Mat Swap. I thought it is a cute idea and looks like it could be done in an afternoon or so.
I also joined a lace KAL on Ravelry which will start on Oct. 1. :) This is the project I am going to tackle - the scarf to begin with. Lace Tam and Scarf Pattern
I had a nothing kind of day today, did not get much done other than washing a load of kitchen linens, making some fresh ginger ale for the weekend and cooking dinner. It is very hot here and that always seems to deflate my creativity a bit.

Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

Wednesday

Ladies, ladies, what is it with all those "Yuck!" comments about my beautiful spider? Spiders are fascinating and useful creatures and we have plenty of them. I saw a wolf spider mama with its babies on the back last week but she got away before I could snap a picture. I admit they are a bit creepy but still very fascinating. I tried to take a picture of the giant web my pretty friend has woven.

We went to the open house of the Scottish Country Dancers last night and it was really fun. I think we will sign up for the full course and then join the group. The people are very nice and funny and the dancing is much less exhausting than the Irish dancing we did in Vienna.

I cut out the squares for the quilts for my nephews yesterday and had planned to do some more cutting today but somebody found a better use for the ironing board than pressing fabrics.

So instead I decided to read my very interesting library book which is due back this weekend.

My bread dough is rising nicely and almost ready for the oven. I did a load of laundry this morning and still have dishes to wash and a pizza to make for dinner, Wednesday is our 'pizza and a movie night'. The weather is beautiful, but a bit too warm for my taste, but my favorite season is just around the corner.

Arachnophobia anyone?

A Purple Trio

My latest set of slippers for the Pink Slipper Project.

And here is the whole bunch getting ready for their trip up north.

I am sure there will be more before the year is over and beyond but right now I need to concentrate on making ornaments for the swap and getting my Christmas projects done.

(Not so) Tiny Knitted Acorn

I wanted to make a few of these for a while and I finally got around to knitting one of them. I don't have any real thin yarn so my acorn is anything but tiny. ;) The pattern for it can be found here: Pea Soup

Apple Fest

We went to the Apple Fest in Bethabara Park today. The weather was beautiful, we packed a picnic lunch and had a good time. We enjoyed some historical demonstrations, unfortunately the weaver was not there, I would have loved to see the old loom in action. There were lots of craft booths and we listened to some music and watched some clogging. I was amazed by some of the prices the crafters are asking for their stuff, I think I am selling my stuff way too cheap. Afterward we ran some errands and when we came home we were greeted by our three girl cats, two in the garden and Miss K. in the house.

Finally!

Some pink slippers for the Pink Slipper Project.

Food

Last night's dinner: Mushroom pizza with whole wheat crust and homemade tomato sauce.

Today's freshly baked bread.

5 Years!

Five years ago today Miss Kitty and I arrived in the New World (Del arrived a week earlier to prepare the nest for us girls). It took us a whole 24 hours to get from Vienna to High Point and my poor little girl was so brave and did really good on this long trip and once we arrived she made herself at home quickly and never looked back, too many new and interesting things around here.
Our life has changed a lot in these five years, I have learned many new things, rekindled old interests and gone far back into the past with some of the things we do. But I am loving it and despite all the problems we had this year, life is good.
Here are some pictures of Miss K. doing what she likes best. ;)

Hot Stuff

Peppers from the garden, chopped up and popped into the freezer so they can add some heat to our chilies and stews this Winter. We had some cross-pollination going on between the jalapenos and the anaheim peppers and the result was a nice big hot pepper. I tasted them before I started chopping and they did not taste brutally hot. Since I don't clean with chemicals anymore I no longer have disposable rubber gloves around which I now regret dearly. My hands are on fire despite being washed in cold water frequently. They had actually gotten better in the afternoon, but then I washed dishes and the hot water set them off again. Ouch!

Tuesday Morning

Happy Birthday Miss Kitty!

My little girl turns 16 this month (we don't know the exact day, so she gets a whole birthday month).

Weekend

Gift baskets, more slippers, chocolate cake and meatballs. Good weekend.