Tell us a story...

AB just finished her role at Studio East as the storyteller in "The Falcon", a Russian folktale about choices.

She really did shine in this part.


She begins rehearsals today for the school play, "A Comedy of Errors" at ICS.

It's Friday...

And except for it being the eve of the three day weekend, nothing much is happening. I've been thinking all week about what I would post on Friday so here's basically an update for you, Mom and Dad.

AB's play (which had rehearsal every night this week) opens tomorrow night and should be fun. It is a Russian folktale called "The Falcon" and AB has a role with both casts as the storyteller. She will have four shows over the next two weekends.

But first, we start tomorrow with a 7 am soccer game! AB will be thrilled when I wake her tomorrow but so far, we're not gonna waste a minute of this long weekend! Glen is coaching EB's team and we have a much more saner time of 3-something on Sunday afternoon; this indoor soccer thing is new for both of them but if last week's game was any indication, it going to be a great season!

Next week brings school conferences and finals (for AB). For a couple of mornings, I will be teaching a knitting class at EB's school - I really wish you were here to help me, Mom! But for now, I'll have to settle for EB's help, as he said he's signed up for my class! Heaven, help us all!!

Well, I guess that's all for now.

May airplanes crash and all survive. May we all enjoy the history and spectacle of next week's inauguration. And may you know I love you and am thinking about you.

Holiday Knitting Wrap Up

(This one's for you, Trish!) I have a good friend and very organized knitter who is has counted up her 2008 knitting projects and is casting on, or at least planning her 2009 accomplishments.

Me? I'm not so....well...on top of it...but here are a few pics of my recent (finish 'em and wrap 'em up!) holiday gifts.

Plans for 2009? Go wherever my knitting muse pushes me!

Socks for Grandpa!

Orange hat for my son from his Christmas list.

No photos - but I also made a scarf for the band teacher, a hat for an advisory teacher, a hat for a co-worker, a red hat and scarf for the piano teacher and a blue twisted rib hat for my husband (who says it's itchy! Bah!)

She is actually not wearing anything I knit but I thought this was just a good picture to embarrass her with, I couldn't resist!

AB the jogger! Love ya!

A White Birthday! A White Christmas! A White New Year?

We were all excited a week ago when it snowed on my birthday (Dec 18), closing schools and making for a wonderful winter scene.

But then it kept snowing and soon we had A LOT of snow(and as I sit writing this, there is more coming down.)

Grandma and Grandpa make it safely here from California between storms. They had a slippery drive up but made it in one piece and with smiles on their faces.

So we've been snowed in for several days but it's been a wonderful Christmas with a little less of the hustle and bustle (several gifts are still not here because of lack of delivery vehicles making it to our neighborhood.) But who knows? Maybe 2009 will start out white too!

Hope you and yours are safe and warm and enjoying Mother Nature!

Compare the tabletops!

And the day comes...

When your daughter tells you she's been invited to the Winter Ball!

It starts with the 'asking' - which these days is much more creative than when I was in high school. Instead of merely inquiring if AB would like to go to the dance, our thoughtful guy (a friend of AB's from school and drama) spelled out her name in Post-It notes on one of the school's white boards (the Post-Its were significant because of the play AB had been the director for - see earlier blog post of Nov 20). He then wrote a small note asking her to the dance, including a check box for YES and NO!

Well, she checked YES and then the hunt began for a dress, shoes and finally, a boutonniere for the lucky guy! While my parents were visiting, we found a strapless dress and while it looked beautiful, I felt it needed a shawl. So I decided to knit one...in a week...out of KidSilk Haze and Baby Alpaca Grande! I found some of the yarn in my stash but I had to send my folks out for more (thanks, Grandma!) I think it came out pretty well and it did keep AB (somewhat) warm.

They had a great time with dinner at TGI Friday's and snow falling to finish off the magical evening!

Cookie Baking!

My folks visited a few weeks ago and we had fun shopping, cooking and just visiting. AB and Grandma had fun making cookies for the school's "Taste of ICS". Here they are making Greek Holiday Cookies.

The Beast is a Beaut...!

And it's done!!! The best four-letter words in knitting!!

After 8 colors, lots of black yarn and many hours by many hands (thank you beastie friends!), the Beast is complete and handed off! What started as a gift for my oldest nephew for his college graduation became a legacy unto itself. In fact, all the nephews kept asking how they get one and I said they had to graduate from college!

But if I ever say, "I'm just gonna use up my acrylic scraps" - someone slap me, please! On the other hand, my husband has asked for an afghan (he's already graduated from college!) but you can bet if I start another one it will be in something luscious and not acrylic!

Look - I'm still smiling!