Wedding Preparation

I am stalling on completing the second dress, although it is going better than the first one. One of these years I will finally figure out how to sew. Never mind that I have been doing it since third grade. The zipper I did on the other junior bridesmaid dress was probably the quickest, neatest zipper I have ever done.

We had our first frost last night. I covered the flowers, but completely forgot about the acorn squash and last tomatoes on the vine. The squash looks like it managed. The cosmos are in full bloom, also untouched by the frost.

I had one cat draw blood from me this morning. The other came into the house bleeding.

I long to take out my clarinet. I have had lesson music running through my head this morning.

Anne and I finished cleaning things out of her old room, and we switched beds between the two spare bedrooms. I have to make up the two beds and vacuum, and then I will have room for my music again.

Vanna's Choice Baby Afghan

I finally completed Leo's baby afghan. I used the Fanciful Rose pattern (Our Best Knit Baby Afghans, Leisure Arts, 2000). I added eight rows of garter stitch on each end to square off the blanket. The yarn is Vanna's Choice Baby (Lion Brand) in Aqua.

I am itching to try some of the solid weave patterns in that same book with Cottontail yarn, but first have to finish Paris' baby afghan, and my Simply Ridges afghan.

Now I simply must get those dresses done for the wedding, or my daughter will have my neck!

Project Roundup

We returned from our Two Harbors vacation on Monday afternoon. My vacation knitting goal was to complete my aqua baby afghan at Two Harbors, and then make significant in-roads on the Cupcake afghan while we are on retreat. I did not quite finish the aqua, Vanna's Choice baby afghan, but I am nearing the finish line. All I need to do is bind off and tuck in ends. Leo, your blanket is almost ready!

During this stay at Two Harbors, I was able to check out most of the restaurants and shops in the vicinity. My top picks are Pioneer Arts Co-op (a required North Shore stop for me) The Sweet Pea, and Burt's Mercantile. The Sweet Pea carries imported gift items, and also has a number of booths which local artists rent to hock their wares. Some of these artists also have merchandise at the Pioneer Arts Co-op, so if you cannot make it up the shore, a trip here would still give you an in to the local market. Burt's Mercantile carries mostly foodstuffs, with an emphasis on wild rice. However, they do sell quilts and aprons made locally. I was particularly attracted to their use of beautiful quilted wall hangings around their bins. I did not see prices on these, so I was not sure if they were for sale, or just decor. Still, they lent a pleasant ambiance to the store. It was fun just to look at them. We discovered a thrift store in town, too. Musty smelling, but otherwise well organized, and inexpensive. If you are looking for dishes, stop there before heading to Second-Hand Rose in Silver Bay (another required stop). My favorite places for food were On the Waterfront Cafe, and The Vanilla Bean. Of course, Burlington Bay was still my favorite, and most productive agate hunting grounds.

I did the fitting for Brenden's sister's dress for the wedding.