Where does time go?

I know, there really isn't an answer to that question but I really am not sure where the time has gone between my last blog posts and today. It's been over a month. I'm pretty sure I'm just slack, but it could also be a bit to do with life. So to catch you up I give you the following.

1. I met my DF's Heather, Michael, Jill & Andy in Orlando for a long weekend of fun to celebrate Michael's birthday a bit early.

Andy, Jill, Me, Heather & Michael (Isn't he the brave one?)

He wanted to go to Universal Studios, especially the new Harry Potter portion. Much fun was had by all.

Hogwarts!

There was Butterbeer

And I got to meet the Hogwart's Express conductor!











And there was food.......and drink that was quite lovely everywhere we went.









Of course there was the wonderful pleasure of the company of my friends who all live in the Atlanta area. It was Andy's first visit to Florida. I hope we managed to show her a great time so she'll come back some time.

2. I have been supplementing my stash lately. Not a good sign. I don't have pictures of everything but I did do some damage when I went to Atlanta in July for my birthday.

Top row: ShibuiKnits Silk Cloud to be held with Noro Kureyon Sock for a scarf
Row 2: Rowan Lima for sweater, 2 colors of Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima in a garnet and a gold for a tank top, Ella Rae Bamboo Silk for a little jacket.
Row 3: SWTC Xie in two different colors (a shawl or 2 in the making), The Alpaca Yarn Co. Paca-Peds sock yarn, Noro Sekku 
Bottom: Wollmeise Lace-Garn.

3. Went to Savannah after church just this last weekend to see the fall incarnation of the Gospel Show at The Savannah Theatre. I'm sure I've mentioned this before, but if you are going to be visiting Savannah you need to make reservations to see whatever show it going on at this theater, and I don't just say that because I've known the Musical Director/Drummer and his family for years and have become friends with one of the other cast members. It really is a good time. We went in the Spring when they did this show and my parents wanted to go again this fall. There were a few changes, some of the cast was different for a variety of reasons. 

Since it was on a Sunday afternoon we left right after the 9:45 service at church and drove up. Now, we left pretty close to 11AM but because of traffic and the fact I travel with a couple of older, distinguished folk, we made it to the theater about 20 minutes before the show started at 3PM. Seriously, for normal people it's about a 2.5 hour drive. Of course we stopped and had a light lunch and the obligatory bathroom breaks along the way. But I didn't feel bad since Chris pulled into the parking lot and parked as I was parking our vehicle and getting out. Figured they couldn't really start without him so I'm going to put it down to having impeccable timing. 

Sunday evening mom, dad, Chris and I went out to eat. We were staying right at City Market, so we  thought we'd go to Vinny Van Go-Gos for pizza but the wait was at least an hour and mom was hungry. Then we thought we'd walk over to Jazz'd, but along the way we passed a few nice places and a band so in the end we ate at Cafe at City Market.  Food was good and the weather was perfect. There was even a fairly decent band playing at that end of the market outside. Daddy tried to pick up a new girlfriend, but decided to stick with mom at least until next year when their 50 year contract has to be renewed.


Monday was reserved for lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room.  We'd never been, but we had pros to help us navigate the awesomeness that is lunch at this institution. Chris and fellow cast member Sheldon met us there along with two friends of Chris', Angie & Kassandra. Kassandra has just returned from a year long tour of duty in Iraq (you can just barely see her sitting next to Sheldon in the picture below), so we were especially honored to share a lovely meal with her. They are both lovely young women and are both engaged to young men who are serving in the military. We had a fantastic time chatting before we went in to eat and during our meal. Well worth the wait (yes, Sheldon, even if we weren't supposed to wait).  That's just half the table, you should have seen the other half where daddy was "protecting" the fried chicken.

In case you can't tell: friend chicken, mac-n-cheese, biscuit, rutabagas, creamed corn, fried cabbage, cole slaw, cucumbers in vinegar with some pepper and in the middle some candied yams.

Yep, that's bowls of greens, peas, green beans, lima beans, beef stew, and who knows what else.

After lunch we bid a fond farewell to Sheldon and then Chris, but only after he helped me find the lovely needlepoint store The French Knot I'd heard about that is just around the corner from Mrs. Wilkes. A bit hidden, since it's down an alley, but just beautiful inside. Met the owner, Audrey who is both talented and lovely. Of course I found a little something to purchase and will be heading back there when I travel up that way again. If I lived in the area I'd have their stitch-in nights on my calendar. 


Isn't this just the cutest little ornament. Audrey had it, and the other two in the set, finished a couple of different ways. I'm thinking I'll have to call and order the other two canvases before it's all over. And her fiber wall was a thing of beauty. I should have taken a picture but I'd left my camera at home.

After that I headed to Wild Fibre for a little yarn stash enhancement. Found some beautiful Alchemy yarns for a new scarf and just HAD to purchase a couple of sock yarns. I also ordered a book that they will send me when it arrives.  

4. I do have a long overdue picture of a finished knitted project. The picture isn't that great, because I made it at night at a friends home with my iPhone and not in daylight with my camera. However the model is outstanding and a really good sport. She's my friend Janet and the mobius scarf she's wearing isn't even for her! It's for our friend Joyce who was busy doing something else. Janet loved this so who knows, she might receive one in the future.
 

I'm sure I've missed some things, but I'm going to hope I can do better at blogging and have something else to share another day.

All about travel (part one)

So today we bring you part one of the recap of my latest travels. I've managed to go to Atlanta twice since the spring. Once with my DF Jackie, who's blog you should check out, and once by myself. Both trips were wonderful. Plus I made a quick trip up to WV for a family reunion and to help my parents drive home. Not to mention two trips to Savannah.

I'm guessing you want more information, or at the least some pictures of swag or other such nonsense. Luck you, I have just what you want.

The trip in April was for Stitches South. Neither Jackie nor I had ever attended and we were very much looking forward not only to the class we had signed up for, but also the chance to check out some yarns we had heard of but never seen or felt. Let me just say that we did our share of shopping. We stayed with DF Jean and her fab husband which helped cut down on cost, or should I say helped us be able to spend more. I'm not sure when we took this picture, I think it was after day 1 when we'd gone to class and then waited to get into the "hall of yarny and related goodness" for early bird shopping. In fact, I'm fairly certain that's when this was taken.

Now understand that this is for three people. Yeah, it still looks like a lot, but in my defense, I've already finished one shawl from some of what is there and am 3/4 way through another. I'm ready to sign up for next year. Maybe take two classes this time.

Of course it wasn't all about the loot yarn, we also spent time with friends Jill, Heather and Andy. Jackie got to meet my stitching/knitting friends in Atlanta and we even found a few minutes to take her to one of the stitching stores so she could look around. And yes, I did buy a small little something there that I've been working on (and need to get progress pictures of).

Mom, Dad, myself and several other friends also went up to Savannah in April to see a show at The Savannah Theater. We saw Southern Nights that day. It was the first time mom and dad had gone up and they really enjoyed the show. We always have a great time. Before the show mom and I found Wild Fiber and I did a little shopping there.

Lovely shop and very near the theater so that's just perfect for when I get to go back for a visit.

And here's a picture of "the gang" having a bite to eat before the show started.

from right clockwise: Mom,  Don F., Lynn F., Tony F., Janet F., Joyce & my dad

I even have a picture of my dad after the show. Isn't he handsome?

Left to right: Chris Fullerton, Dad, Michele (I think)

Chris' parents are Don & Lynn in the picture above and we've all been friends for years. In fact, all of us attend the same church and are pretty close.

We went back up to Savannah for Chris' birthday in May and got to see the Gospel Jubilee they were putting on at the time. Amazing is the only word I can use. We're planning on going back to see the one they do in the fall as well.

Wow, that's a lot for one day. I think I'll leave you in May and try to bring you up to date with the rest later this week. Don't want to bore anyone you know.

Time to leave!

I just got a call and my friends will be here for the trip to Tallahassee. I can't wait. I love Homecoming. It's a night game and the weather looks to be perfect. I'm all packed and now I've told you why this is such a short blog. But check back tomorrow, I have a little something special planned. I should have pictures on Sunday after the weekend. See you all then. Now, talk amongst yourselves while I'm gone, but be sure to be nice!

It was a busy weekend

DF Jill was in town this weekend and we used almost every minute doing something fun. From having a wonderful dinner with friends we used to work with, to stitching and knitting with other friends, we were busy, busy, busy!

That being said, I have no pictures, so you'll have to head over to Jill's blog to see a few that she took over the weekend.

There is no rest for the weary. I'm heading to NC on Wednesday for my first college roommate's wedding in Lenoir. I'll spend the night with DF Judy on Wednesday night, since I'm flying into Greensboro and Judy is conveniently located in said city. Then Thur. morning I'll drive over to Lenoir for the festivities. I'm very excited to get to spend some time with Maria before the wedding. We haven't actually seen each other in several years, but do a pretty good job of keeping in touch. I'm sure I'll have pictures from that weekend when I return.

Tonight I spent some time working on a little something for the bride-to-be. I haven't done any beading in awhile, but I wanted Maria to have something special, so I asked her what she was planning to do with her hair. Seems she's not having a full veil, so I asked if she'd like some "hair jewels" to put a little sparkle and add something to her "do". She apparently trusts me to do something that she'll like so I'm making her some pins. I'm not going to put pictures up until after the wedding. She might be reading this and I don't want to spoil the surprise. I think they look lovely, and I hope she'll like them. I plan on getting a picture of her hair when it's all done and they are in. Won't that be something different?