We've Got Royals Fever!

It is downright exhilarating to be in the Kansas City area this week. The Kansas City Royals are in the World Series for the first time in 29 years!  The last time they were in it, I was but a wee high school lass and now I'm a wee high school teacher.

To celebrate the Royals' success in 2014, we took our annual Fall Family Photos wearing Royals gear.  We love our Kansas City Royals!  #TakeTheCrown

Family Rocks!

Crochet and More

It's no secret that I love to crochet. As a result, you can often find me with a crochet hook in my hand, madly making something out of yarn for someone in my family.  I finally finished my daughter's stocking cap, complete with pompom.

The is from a pattern by Maggie Weldon.  Here is a link.  She made a great video to go along with the pattern and it is super easy to make.

I used Country Loom yarn by Loops & Threads from Michael's. This yarn is a little too big for the pattern, so I had to adjust it a little bit.  The color is Steel Grey because it's what my sweet girl chose.  She was quite specific about it having a pompom as well.  Having never made one, it took a couple of failed attempts before I finally figured out how to do it.

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Also on the crochet agenda for the weekend is this cowl made with Wool-Ease Quick and Thick in Barley.  It is a bit too stiff for the type of cowl I like to wear, but it is nice and warm.

I  used Lion Brand's free crochet pattern Openwork Crocheted Cowl.  You can find it here.  I wanted it a little wider than what they made, so I started with 53 stitches instead of the 37 called for in the pattern.  The color is wonderful!

Here's another pic, but with my girl and her hat.

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And another highlight of my weekend is finding this yarn:

It's called Landscapes by Lion Brand and I LOVE it!  It is so soft and bright!  I started making a garment using the Tropics colorway but I went back to the store this afternoon and discovered my Joann's didn't have anymore of it.  So I picked this one up; it's called Broadway.  Landscapes is a self-striping yarn in gorgeous colors.  I really hope I can figure out the pattern.  I started it last night but got stuck at the end of the first row.  I must have miscounted on my foundation chain.  Wouldn't this be a wonderful poncho to have?

Alas, now it's Sunday evening and The Walking Dead season 5 is about to premiere.  I also have to teach in the morning.  I guess I have to put away my crochet hook and yarn pretty soon.  

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Happy Thanksgiving Day in Canada and Happy Columbus Day in the U.S.!  

Have a marvelous week!

Peace!  Paix!  Paz!  Pax!  Friede!  

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I Love Yarn!

It may be the beautiful colors, the soft texture, or the wonderful feeling of creativity and accomplishment that working with yarn gives me.  Whatever the case may be, I LOVE YARN!!!

HAPPY I LOVE YARN DAY 2014!!!

Blood Moon

Looky what I found in the sky this morning:

It took my breath away!  Have a lovely Wednesday!  

Fall is in the Air!

Can you feel it?

New Autumn soap:  Apple Jack

Take a look at a new soap I've just put on my Etsy shop, Apple Jack Handmade Soap:

I love the gorgeous colors and the scrumptious and spicy fragrance!  

Another thing I love about Fall is this poem:

Chanson d'automne

Les sanglots longs

Des violons

De l'automne

Blessent mon coeur

D'une langueur

Monotone.

Tout suffocant

Et blême, quand

Sonne l'heure,

Je me souviens

Des jours anciens

Et je pleure

Et je m'en vais

Au vent mauvais

Qui m'emporte

Deçà, delà,

Pareil à la

Feuille morte.

Paul Verlaine

Poèmes saturniens

I have my French 2 students memorize this poem every Autumn.  It is one of my all-time favorites, as well as the song by Charles Trenet.  I made a video using that song and featuring my family from 2010.  Check it out on my YouTube channel.
I hope you enjoy it!  And may your Fall days be filled with bright colors, scrumptious fragrances, and lovely music! 

Oh, and alpacas too!   Because ALPACAS!