A Slow Month for Projects

It's been a busy month, which means my needles haven't accomplished much. However, this hat was made with much love for a dear friend who is battling breast cancer. Several people in town threw a surprise hat party for her. I bought the lovely pima cotton this summer, and had no idea why I bought pink. But now I know. Paula - you are loved so much, and I hope this hat brings you comfort while you fight.

An Annie Day

Poor girl has been down a few times this month. I really loved this moment on a recent sick day when Annie was telling her doll and puppy a Bible story. Because the best thing a mom can do for her children is tell them about Jesus. She took it to heart!

An Unusual Camping Trip

When the budget precludes you from a planned holiday weekend roadtrip, you improvise! We had an unforgettable camping adventure right in our backyard.

Chili dogs and s'mores over the fire pit. Card games in the tent. And waking to the gentle swell of the earth shifting two states away.

Yup - an earthquake in Oklahoma was felt all the way up here. It's been so long since I've experienced an earthquake, it took awhile to register that's what was happening. But sure enough, my cot was rocking back and forth for about a minute while the rest of the family slept.

Farewell, Summer

With Labor Day weekend came the official end of the swimming season. We enjoyed another summer at the local water park, and it was hard for our little fishies to say goodbye to the pool.

A New Year of Piano

Regular lessons are starting up again next week, and I'm continually flabbergasted at how God has blessed my little studio. It's not so little anymore. I'm actually overscheduled with a waiting list, and an adult student who wants to start Face Time lessons in October (you know who you are, and all I can say is yay!) I had a small dream, and God is growing it, and providing abundantly for our family as well.

I've been working hard ordering books, creating a practice notebook, thinking through incentive programs, making business cards (this is real!), and brainstorming other fun ideas for my students. Fourteen! Fourteen students. This is going to be awesome!

New practice notebooks (beginner on top, older students on the bottom)

Fourteen piles of books ready to be delivered!

Frozen Pip Squeaks

I'm not exactly sure what these two have been up to, but MaKaylee and Dayna have been creating some sort of concoction involving frozen grapes, whipped egg whites and an ice cream type substance. They are marketing their creation as "Frozen Pip Squeaks" and experimenting with colors and flavors. I'm not sure this idea will take off (it's an interesting mix of ingredients) but they are working hard!

At the very least, it's nice that these girls can still get together and pick up where they left off, even if they go to different schools now.

Note that MaKaylee is still sporting her Ashland-Greenwood gear!

August Projects

I've been busy this month. One of the highlights was an Olympic Knit-Along some friends from grad school started on Facebook. The idea was to cast something on during the Opening Ceremonies, work on it while watching the Olympics and finish before the Closing Ceremonies.

Here's my Olympic project:

Pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hope-diamond
Yarn from Hobby Lobby - an alpaca, merino blend

I also finished my Monkey Socks using Crazy Zauberball yarn. I LOVE this yarn and will definitely use it again.

I also finished a mermaid tail blanket for Annie's birthday. I confess. This was not a fun project. But I love her, and she loves mermaids, and so it's done! A bonus was the yarn belonged to my late Grandma Luebcke.