Oh, these little pins.
Well, they are seriously my new favorite stitch markers.
I work in a beautiful clothing store on Fridays and Saturdays.  And, when the new merchandise arrives, most clothing lines use these pins to attach their tag.  We remove the tag and these pins.
 I've seen stitch markers that look like this sold before and I thought, Hey,  I'm going to recycle these and use them for my stitch markers.  And then I thought,  Hey!  I have a bunch of friends who might want some, too!  So, I told the incredible girls I work with and they all started saving them for you, too!  I giggle when I hear one of them say,  "Put Leslie's knitting friend's pins in this cup."  Seriously, my heart skips a beat.
I wear it on my wrist and take it with me most places.  And it still will work as a hair tie.  Bonus.

So, the pins have either a silver or a black finish.   I've bagged 10 pins together with one different finish in each bag so that you would have a beginning of round marker.  (9 black, 1 silver and visa versa.)  I have about 15 sets bagged.   If you would like a package of 10, please email me.  lesliemfriend at gmail dot com.
Just say, "Hey!  I want some!" or "YES", or "Yes, please"  or "Would love them" or "Awesome!" or "I need those stitch markers!" or "Mail me some!" or anything your sweet heart desires.  Just let me know that you would like some and include your address in the email.    I'll pop them into the mail and you will receive them in no time!  And, the supply doesn't look like it is going to end, so don't worry.  If you don't get them on this round, there will always be more!

Have a super awesome weekend, friends!

 Have you seen the fall issue of knitscene magazine?
Well, you have "a friend to knit with" in this issue!  :)  AND it is full of some really great patterns.  Check it out if you happen to pass it.  I'm completely honored to have been featured.

The winner of the Rise Fressko flask is number #101 Teechpe.  Congrats!  Please email me with your address and I'll make sure you will be drinking a strong brew out of it in no time!

 And then Libby went to work on the mixing and it reminded me of the times she had her cooking channel in middle school.  She would close the kitchen doors and start talking and baking away.  It was the cutest.  (Did I mention she is going to College in a few short weeks?  AGH!)
 Libby used to make sure no one came in the kitchen, getting upset when the boys would torment her.  
I highly recommend keeping an emergency box in your kitchen. (I purchased this box from Target.) They didn't look exactly like the photo on the box, Libby's were way cuter. ;)  And, they were delicious!

Have you seen the really cool flasks from Fressko?  A double walled glass container for either infusing fruit into your drinks or brewing tea.  It will hold coffee, too!  I love the bamboo lid and quite honestly the entire look of it.  AND that it will be a wonderful companion to my knitting!
Well, the nice peeps over at Fressko have given me a Rise for one of my readers!
Leave a comment before Tuesday,  July 26, 5pm EST and I'll have the random generator choose a number.

Happy weekend to you!

So, I'm thinking I haven't even mention where Libby will be headed in the fall.  The University of Colorado.  It's so hard for me to believe that when I started writing this blog, Libby was 8 years old and in second grade.  To all the young young mamas out there... the days are long but the years are fast.  Try really hard to settle in and enjoy every minute.  Even when there are dirty dishes and piles of laundry.  It truly can all wait.
Libby's core group of friends are going to be spread out all over the United States.  I'm so excited for their next Chapter.

Oh!  Of course those are our beloved Chalk Lots.  :)

My CSA box that I picked up on Tuesday.  I'm trying not to make a grocery run this week.  Eating fish and vegetables.  Fingers crossed.
And the flowers in my garden.  Although they have been thirsty lately as it is hot!

I'm going to try to ignore the fact that Libby will be headed to college in about a month.  Trying desperately to slow down time.  Getting ready to snuggle in and watch Jaws 2 with Libby.  Girls night here as Steve is at a function, Charlie is driving a U-haul to a camp in Michigan (where he is working as a program director) and Andrew is still playing golf.

Hi Friends!

Then we flew North to Gustavus to stay at Glacier National Lodge.  Incredible views from the plane.
Gustavus is my favorite new small town.  Super friendly, super cute.  We spent the Fourth of July watching their parade.  Those people know how to do it!  Then there was a reading of the Declaration of Independence with many locals taking a turn reading.  It was so wonderful to see the closeness and realness in this community.  I loved that my children were able to experience it all.
The view of the Fairweather Mountains from Glacier Bay Lodge our last morning.  Can't you just smell the crispness!

I'll see you next week!  Happy weekend!