Knitting Socks and Stockings

I never thought I would try to knit socks but when Jill came to visit bearing yarn and needles I decided to give it a try. Stockings for the mantle have been great projects but knitting socks for feet is a new challenge.  I am enjoying the process so far but have not yet started the heel which may be a bit more difficult. It's fun to do something new. Hopefully the second sock is as much fun as the first. For now it's time to start thinking about some Christmas knitting so these pink socks may be set aside for a month or two since I have started a baby boy stocking. Now that the gardens are tucked in for the winter there will be lots more time for yarn and needles. There will be plenty of time for socks and stockings.

Fuzzy Fun

 My Ipod photos were very fuzzy on Saturday but it was such a great day that I want to post them anyway. It was a wonderful morning walk around the lake with Dale, Ashley, Mowgli and Lincoln. We even had some time to jump off rocks and find lady bugs. Dale and I invited Lincoln to join us for the opening game for the UNI women's basketball team. It was Lincoln's second season for basketball and again he was interested in the game and very interested in the mascots. This was his first meeting with TK, the kitty. She was so good with him and he warmed up well. Lincoln loves TC and TK. I am sure that we will get to more basketball games this winter.

 

 Fortunately Dale and I made time for a Sunday walk around the lake too with Mowgli. I brought my camera and snapped a couple of focused shots. I just love the rust and blue of the season. It was a gorgeous November day, cooler temperatures and lots of bare trees.

 

Baby Brother

I am so thrilled that Lincoln will be getting a baby brother. Of course another grandson for me is a huge blessing also. We are expecting the baby brother in March. Once day last month Ashley and Travis got the news that it was a boy. I was watching Lincoln at the time and they brought him blue balloons. Ashley and I worked together to make surprise cupcakes for her to share with family and friends. The blue filling was the announcement. Ashley took these photos but I couldn't resist posting them on my blog to share. Its a very exciting time for our family!

Work Days

 It's been an interesting work week and I haven't even been at my desk for over a week! The annual Fall Conference for Hospice and Palliative Care Association of Iowa was this week so I traveled to Des Moines for a couple of days of learning and networking. It was a bonus to get time with Dale and he was gracious enough to drive me downtown and back so that I didn't have to hassle with parking or traffic. He also gave me sky walk directions so that I was able to walk a mile or two each day and keep up my exercise. I really enjoyed the skywalks and driving to and from with Dale. We had some good dinners and did some of our favorite shopping. It was a good week of learning and fun and Des Moines.

Last week I was able to work and attend the Go Red Lunch for Women and learned more about heart disease and healthy changes. It was a great event with lots of amazing people, a great speaker and new motivation to keep moving faster and further while trying to eat better. Although this week has been a wonderful change of pace, I am fully aware that I will be doing lots of catch-up when I return to my desk next week. I will think about that on Tuesday. For now it's time to focus on the weekend.

Late Autumn

 It seems that fall is lasting longer this year and I like that. Today's rain is bringing down lots of leaves but it's still pretty. I have a pathetic amount of leaves in my front yard which is just fine with me. It was plenty for Lincoln and me to enjoy some leaf play this week!

Jill and Marlee

Jill and Marlee came for a weekend visit and we had fun. There was lots of knitting and talking but we also got out of the house a few times, once for the yarn shop and once for a movie. It was especially fun to take Jill and Marlee with me for my walk around the lake.

Jill and I don't walk together often but we both appreciated the beauty of the lake and woods while we strolled around the lake.  Marlee held up very well too and easily survived the .7 mile walk.

 

The house was quiet when Jill and Marlee left but I went outside to enjoy the November foliage that remains.  The winds today may cause many of these pretty leaves to drop but its been nice to have brightly colored leaves into November. I mowed one more time to get the leaves gathered and spread more mulch after planting more bulbs and digging up some iris. I wonder how many more days I will have to get those iris and a few more tulips into the ground.

Puppy Love

 I am so proud of my sweet little puppy boy. Every week someone tells me how lucky I am to be so close to my family and especially my grandchild. I agree completely. It was so fun to join Lincoln and one of his cousins when they trick or treated on Main Street. Lincoln was so polite, clearly thanking everyone who gave him a treat. Ashley took these photos and shared them with me.