Imagination

"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" Dr. Seuss First of all a little quiz this morning: What could taste better than these rich dark chocolatey cupcakes? Well, a little imagination and the answer is simple! That would be rich dark chocolatey cupcakes spread with peanut butter frosting and garnished with Reese's Cup sprinkles!!! Pretty rich, though. I thought these would be a yummy treat for tailgaiting tomorrow when we travel up to Columbia to watch the Gamecocks take on the Tennessee Vols. I found the recipe on the Food Network and thought it was worth a try. The results are pretty awesome. The Hemlock Rink Blanket is progressing. You can begin to see the "feather and fan" portion . It is a little challenging to photograph due to knitting in the round. It looks like a big puffy mushroom, getting larger all the time. .

As we knitters know, one cannot have too many projects underway at the same time! Ashley has enticed my to start (and finish quickly) a baby "cocoon" that she will use with infant . photography. She has chosen a few yarns for these cocoons. The first is Aysen from Araucania. She has another Rowan yarn for me that I haven't seen yet. As in other items, Ashley has excellant taste in yarn. I can't wait to see her first photos using the cocoons. I just got started on the first cocoon last night. It will be a quick project. I love to see these unique colors unfold as the knitting progresses. Have a safe and happy Halloween!!!!

Happiness

"There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved." George Sand

Friday night in the kitchen!!

We had such a good time getting ready for Melissa and Dow's party. There was cleaning, cooking, flower arranging and pumpkin carving. Ashley, Teri, Marianna, Cathy and I had fun on Friday night putting the plan into action.

I think I'll let this post be about the pictures. We hope everyone had a great time!!!!

Thanks to Mike and Jean, Erin and Greg, Ashley and David, and Philip, jr. for hosting this party with us!!!

Carved pumpkin for Melissa.

Pumpkins on the mantle!!

Erin pinning Melissa's corsage!

Dow and future father-in-law, Steve. Ashley's beautiful flowers and lots of good food!!

Pumpkins and fall flowers dress up the outdoor tables.

Melissa and Dow opening gifts.

Well the fun is over. Now I can focus a little attention on the Hemlock Ring Blanket. Also I was able to get a pattern for a baby cocoon that Ashley is anxious to use for infant photography.

We are having fun looking for just the right yarn to get started with. I think there are some beautiful choices with Malabrigo chunky . This should be a quick (and fun!) project.

Anticipation

It is a beautiful fall day on the river. This Wednesday finds us scurrying about getting the house and yard all cleaned up as we prepare for a little celebration this weekend. We are hosting a party for my nephew and godchild, Dow, and his fiance' Melissa. There is much excitement in the air as we start to celebrate their upcoming wedding in February. While outside this morning I noticed that the satsumas are ripening in the backyard. And we have one late-blooming angel trumpet on the deck!!! I'll have more pictures after we decorate, but I noticed that these mums at the doorsteps are about to burst.

I anticipate lots of fun for Dow and Melissa on Saturday night.....as we celebrate "fall"ing in love!!

Look for more pictures after the party.

Knitting will be on the back burner for a few days. Hemlock ring blanket is a little slow. I had to "unknit" a few rows when I realized the stitch count was wrong. Silly mistake on a yarn over - now corrected. Can't wait to get back to it!

I'm also anticipating having Philip, jr. and Ashley and David here with us for the weekend party.

It will be great to catch up on all their activities.

I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning. Joseph Priestley

Work and Play

"We do not stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." Anon This has been a "call" weekend. So I've gotten to work some and play some. Along the lines of work, I'd like to remind all my friends and family that NOW is the time to get your flu vaccine. No, flu vaccine will not make you sick. If you've ever had the flu, then you'll be sure not to forget. The other reminder is that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Please be sure that you have had your yearly mammogram and any other appropriate cancer screening. It is too easy to put this off. I have finally finished the longtime project of ruffled sweater (see previous post). The best part is that I can now start some other projects. I have wanted to knit Jared Flood's Hemlock Ring Blanket for at least a year now. It is officially on the needles! Just getting started, but can hardly wait to get a few minutes to work on this. I'm using Cascade Eco Wool - taupe. This is the warmest, softest wool. This blanket is going to be really nice to snuggle up with on a cold winter night. I hope this project goes quickly!!!

High Tide and Full Moon

"He hath made everything beautiful in His time." Ecclesiastes We're having a full moon this week, so we get to enjoy some unusually high tides. The river is always beautiful, but these spring tides with water up in the marsh are my favorite site. We welcomed two new baby camellias to the river yesterday. These plants are a new hybrid called Dancing Flame. Philip is anxious to get them planted and watch them grow.

I did get in a little sewing/knitting time yesterday and after many, many months finally finished the lace and ruffle sweater (Adrienne Vittadini, spring 2005). Yarn is Diana, also by A. Vittadini. I was very frustrated before adding the ruffle, and ready to quit because it had NO shape. The ruffle helped a lot to provide a little structure, but it is still pretty "drapey". Once I get it blocked properly, we'll get another picture.

Well, a very "full" day ended with a "full" moon rising over the Chechessee. Here I am with my friend Teri enjoying a little boat cruise as the sun sets and the moon "rises".

"Goodnight Moon."

Chechessee Sunrise

"The morning hour has gold in its mouth." German proverb

I thought the best way to post my first entry would be to include a picture of the Chechessee River at sunrise. Part of what I have to share is the pure beauty of the place where we are so lucky to call home.

Thanks so much to Ashley for helping me launch this blog. This is a very new challenge for little pix, but I'm excited about this journal and sharing what is special to me!

It is "wonderful Wednesday"!! (usually my day off) so I'm looking forward to running errands and catching up around the house. If I'm lucky, I'll have time to work on finishing a sweater that I've been knitting for quite some time -like 2 years!! I hate to admit that, but then I don't get much time to devote to this hobby. Also, I have to admit that there are quite a few co-existing projects.

The blue wrap posted by Ashley is 3button wrap by Keely Stuever. Took me all summer, but it is very easy knitting for a nice addition to the wardrobe. The yarn is from Aruacania in a beautiful blue-purple colorway.

More later!!!

MAMA'S GOT A BRAND NEW BLOG!

Hey ya'll! This is actually Ashley, Pixie's daughter, and I am showing my mom how to do the whole "blog thing." Yes, mom has wanted a blog for quite some time now and it's going to be great! She has so many GREAT things to share - she is an awesome mom, cook, knitter, and she can sew just about anything! So if you are reading this, come on and leave Pixie a sweet comment to welcome her to the blogging world! And here is a picture of Pixie proudly showing off her latest knitted creation. I'll let her talk more about that in a later post...