Once I start, I just can't stop. Most of this fabric was purchased from Leslie at good-ness. It came all the way from Japan.
The tuturial for these tissue holders is from tutti fruiti. Really, you won't be able to stop with just one.
Have a wonderful weekend!

*sorry, for this post to pop up again, I got a little paranoid about showing those photos of the kids*
Every year I knit each of the children a sweater that coordinates with the others. They then wear it for the Christmas card photo. I promise I only subjected my husband to wear one for one year! Come on, it was the 90's, I think that may have been in. The funny thing is that I didn't wear one. I just wouldn't do that. This may be a little goofy for some of you, but I really do try to do something that isn't too goofy. Come on, they are kids.
(see, I am really trying hard to sell you on this idea)

I thought last year would have been the last year to do it. Now that I have a twelve year old, I thought that maybe he is at that age where it may be a little goofy to wearing a coordinating sweater with his siblings. Patterns are also next to impossible to find for this age.
However, I just couldn't put my little thing to rest. The yarn has been chosen.

Finally finished my chevron scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. I used one and a half skeins of each color. Koigu #802 and #123.

Just a couple of the things we love about summer. Tomorrow is the first day of autumn.
Time to bring out the handknits. And we really love that too!

I did not make this shirt, it was passed down from a friend. However, I am sure a lot of you out there could make it. Remember it for next summer! :)

Today my sweet Charlie turned twelve. Twelve. I walked around all day saying, "twelve". Twelve. Wasn't that magical day,when he was born, just yesterday? How could that be? The "birthday fairy" (a.k.a. my mother in law or myself) usually comes and ties the number of years in balloons on something in their bedroom. It is the first thing they see when they wake up. Always a great way to start your special day. Well last night, guess who didn't go to the store to get the balloons? Yep, that damn birthday fairy decided a twelve year old may not notice there were no balloons to wake up to. That damn birthday fairy. She was wrong.

We had a special celebration, with the two requests for dinner. Chicken scallopini and a homemade chocolate cake. And balloons of course, just eleven though. That damn birthday fairy (a.k.a. me) popped one getting out of the car. I don't think he even noticed.

Thank you so much for the fabulous comments on my silver belle.....honestly, it is like your comments are all stitched into my sweater. I will remember them all when I wear it! Thank you!

It just so happened that I was traveling to the perfect location to wear my silver belle. Hence the ferocious knitting that took place here last week. My parents spend a couple of weeks every fall in Carmel, California. This year, they invited me to come out for a few days. (Or did I invite myself? I really can't remember.) It not only gave me an opportunity to be in one of my favorite parts of the country, it gave me precious time
alone with my parents. And you know once you start your own family, those times just seem to stop. You can steal a couple of hours here and there, but it just isn't the same. My husband explained to the children before I left, how important it is to spend time with your parents. We hope they will always want to spend time with us. He also does an amazing job at holding down the fort. Needless to say, the trip was everything I had hoped for. Of course there was knitting and of course silver belle photos were taken. These were actually taken at Pebble Beach.

The buttons have been chosen. (The back side, not the wrong side, because I think they are oh, so right.)

.......make zucchini bread. 3 eggs :: 1 cup cooking oil :: 2 cups sugar :: 2 cups grated zucchini :: 3 tsp vanilla :: 3 cups flour ::
1 tsp salt :: 1 tsp baking soda :: 3 tsp cinnamon :: 1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
Mix first 5 ingredients, mix dry ingredients, add to wet ingredients, stir in nuts, if desired. Pour into 2 greased and floured loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.
I plan on getting back into our "cookie of the week", within the next couple of weeks. I find it so much easier when I have their after school snacks waiting for them, especially since they are usually starving! This recipe is also a good way to sneak in an extra vegetable. :)

Libby and I played a little game. The boys wanted to throw the baseball instead.
The rules: as quickly as you can, write down your top ten favorite things, or fifteen or seventeen, no peeking. Let's both start with family. Ready, set, go. Libby's list.
family::books::mr. d::coloring::my desk::handmade things::puppies::molly::florida::beaches::
vintage stuff::school supplies::my room::polka dots::stripes::old navy::target
My list.
my family::knitting::baking::ice::down comforters::sewing::yarn::fabric::photography::the ocean::clean laundry::wildflowers::ceiling fans::babies::music::autumn::coffee::blue jeans

I wish I could have added......libby's list::the touch of my children

Hope your weekend is filled with some of your favorite things.

First of all, I would like to thank everyone for your lovely comments on my top. Every single one of them brought a big fat smile to my face! Really, I think everyone of you could design your own sweater. It is just a matter of time and brain power. And personally, knitting from a pattern requires a lot less figuring.
Speaking of figuring, my silver belle is coming along. I have both sleeves finished, and have decided to put the peplum back on the needles in order to make the body longer. I have already used the required 14 balls and had to have my sister send me an emergency shipment. She was going to make it, but has now decided against it. (Believe me, she will be asking to borrow mine.) This sweater seems to be eating my yarn. If you are going to make this and are going to use cashmerino, I recommend buying extra, just in case. I have joined the KAL, and it really is great to see the progress everyone else is making.

Last night the five of us gathered around the computer remembering Pavarotti. I couldn't help but think how reminiscent that was of families long ago. Huddled around a radio listening to a show. I thought, how far have we come, but have we? I wonder when my grand kids are born, how will families get instant news? Off a large computer on the wall, with a remote? Just a little weekend thoughts to ponder. Go listen, it will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

Happy Friday!

I am not a designer, nor do I claim to be. However when you have an idea in your head of something you would like to knit, and can't find a pattern, you have to take matters into your own hands. I drew this while sitting at a stoplight one day, and used my favorite black top for the measurements. It is no secret that I love yarn and fabric and thought it might be kind of interesting to bring both together. When I realized what a waste of time it would be to knit something that I really don't like the color of, I went for the fabric choice instead.