It's just about time for me to settle down and get to bed as well, having just come off of one heck of a weekend.
Parents' 50th Anniversary Celebration
My siblings and our children and I put on a celebration for the parents Sunday. Not many folks make it to 50 years of marriage (to the same person, I mean). We hosted a dinner after church for about 100 guests... fried chicken, grilled pork steaks, and beef burgundy with all the trimmings. It's a testament to Mom and Dad that they raised us to be able to work together without tearing each others' hair out! There were a couple of small issues, but everything worked out. Family and friends... some we've not seen for many years... came to wish them well and sit down to eat with us. The ladies of the church did a lovely job with veggie and cheese trays, fruits salads, and the breads. Patty made two incredibly beautiful and tasty cakes.
Spinning
A while back, I purchased an Ashford Traditional spinning wheel. Finally got it set up and a dear lady from knit group gifted me with some fiber that is soooo soft and looks like cotton candy! After spinning two bobbins full over the last week, today I plied, hanked, and washed it. My technique leaves much to be desired, but I'm learning, and the last yarn spun looks so much better. I have ordered a washed carded fleece from a black spotted ram named Sverre. Handsome fella, isn't he? Looks like he's got dredlocks. There should be more than enough for some practice and then a work sweater for Ron. He doesn't like sweaters much, but all he's ever had are dress sweaters. I want to knit one that he can wear to the barn under his overalls in the winter, warm and fairly waterproof and firm, like a fisherman's gansey.
Knitting
I've been trying to stick to the 'one project at a time' self-challenge, and for the most part succeeding. Unfortunately, I had to start something new... two baby blankies for a co-worker who is expecting twin girls in just a couple of weeks. I used the Moderne Log Cabin from Mason-Dixon Knitting, but since my yarn was just a bit heavier, I left off the last couple of sections. It was perfect knitting for the train to work, but boring at any other time. The yarn is Tatamy from Kraemer, a cotton/acrylic yarn that feels so nice, and will wash well. That's the plan anyway. There's plenty left over for booties or a couple of sweaters, but that will be for another baby, another time.
So the new 'old' projects:
Barn Raising quilt (from leftover sock yarn) - 5 more squares to knit, then set together
Lexeme Cardigan - set in sleeves, sew side seams, steam
Hot pink cotton toddler dress - barely started, to match turquoise dress (Crystal's twins)
Swirl Shawl - row 2 complete
Final
One of my aunts is in very bad shape. She had fallen and hurt her shoulder, needed surgery to repair/replace, and was in a nursing home to recover. This morning I found out that Auntie Linda's kidneys have shut down, and she needs dialysis. Unfortunately, she is also on coumadin, a blood thinner, and that will cause some really major problems with bleeding. In addition, the doctors have found infection all through her body, though none in the shoulder surgery area.
Although all of my aunts are special, Aunt Linda was especially so as my sisters and I were growing up. She was younger and single, played guitar and sang, took us to see movies and taught us all kinds of things. She read bedtime stories (the Hobyahs... old version, not the new mamby-pamby version) and accompanied the stories with musical background provided by her guitar. She taught junior high science for many years as well. There are many other memories running through my head right now, and they all make me smile and get a little teary-eyed.
So tonight I'm waiting uneasily, waiting for news, waiting waiting...
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