Fall apparently makes me craft-y

Michael's craft store is having a big sale this week. I bought several little ovensafe stoneware type loaf pans for a buck apiece, and they are now in various spots in the house holding collections of little things that get up and wander off. I got some wooden cutouts for Alyria to color, and did save out one pumpkin for myself. I also got a couple of inexpensive terra-cotta jack-o-lanterns, and a 6 pack of flickering LED tealights. I put one of those in the smaller pumpkin, but I did get a small pillar candle on sale for a buck for the bigger, $2 pumpkin. For a person that can't wear autumn colors, I do love to add them to the decor! I passed on the half-price craft pumpkins and a carving tool for them, though it was mighty tempting. I may go back to get a couple and the tool, since we tend to have rotten luck with actual field pumpkins. Hmm...that idea has merit. Need to run it past the family unit.

I also need to get a ball of Bernat Soft Boucle yarn to swatch with. I think I've settled on it for a hoodie for me and for Alyria, but before I commit to bunches of yarn, I really need to try it out to see how it works up and how it feels. The yarn in a ball feels great, and I think it will be fine, but this garment will be more challenging than what I've made before. Then there's the hoodie dress I have my eye on in Crochet! magazine. I have a yarn that might work, and I have enough of it, I think. That's a big project, though -- and will probably require purchase of a slip. It's on the list, just not at the top! The jacket on the cover is pretty nice, too.

I picked up a copy of Positively Crochet!and I love it! Lots of patterns to choose from, a wide variety of sizes, and projects that even appeal to the Gothling, with appropriate color changes, of course. Most pattern books contain between 10 and 25 patterns; this one has a full 50 to choose from, as well as words of encouragement on every page. I highly recommend it to any crocheter.

Holiday and blog plans

My folks were here for the long weekend, and we spent the whole time with them. It was lovely, though I am in pain now from sitting in my chair so long. I did ask to lie on their hotel bed to talk to Mom yesterday, and that helped. I'm afraid I'm going to be sore for a few days. Hubby kept telling me that they'd understand my limitations, and I'm sure they did, but I know I was frustrated with how little time I could spend with them.

We spent most of the weekend talking, which was wonderful. the sprog, being 13, got bored and wandered around the hotel a lot; on Monday we brought our digital camera and she took lots and lots of photographs. She's been talking about an interest in photography, and she did have some nicely composed pictures. On Sunday, we went to see Mr. Bean's Holiday, and I assure you that is worth its own entry soon, when I have the time. Short review: Don't. I had my suspicions ahead of time, but that was what my folks picked. Hubby and I walked out about half an hour into the movie.

The conversation was wonderful, and I sent a pink ribbon back for both my mom and sister, who had been very supportive during my cancer treatment. It isn't much, but I'm happy I can at least give them a token of appreciation. We went to dinner Monday night, then parted ways, and my parents are well on the road back to Lenexa, KS at this time. Alyria and I both cried after we said our goodbyes; we hadn't seen them in some time and while we were tired from the excitement (we're homebodies most of the time any more), we weren't ready for them to leave.

I'm hoping to have some crochet posts up this week, and also want to put some recipes on my blog. I'll post recipes that I can make without hurting myself, so they are relatively simple but yummy dishes. I'm hoping to turn this blog into a more creative space and less of a health issues space, though of course the health issues are integral to my life and will remain an important part of the blog as well.