Almost Wordless Wednesday: Lola Edition

Today's Wordless Wednesday is brought to you by Lola... and does include a few words, as I play a little catch up.

First, what's that Miss Lola spies across the table?

It's a white hickory tussock moth caterpillar.  First one I've ever seen...

While Lola was captivated by the funky little guy, Zeus has been discovering the woolly bear caterpillars that have been popping up all over our yard lately.

Lola had a vet check up at the end of September (was that really two weeks ago?!).  She enjoyed a nice R-I-D-E (don't worry, I snapped the following picture while we were safely stopped at a red light), and had a great check up with Dr. C.  We'll keep her on the 10mg, once a day dose of prednisone through early November when we go back for another check up.  It seems to have zapped those little lumps that had popped up!



How I Spent My Long Weekend

I probably sound like a broken record, but I love fall.  It's my favorite time of year and I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere other than right here in New England.  While I missed my favorite fair and a couple other events due to the man's race schedule, we were left with a completely open Columbus Day weekend - a rarity! 

Saturday was rainy and a bit chilly, but that didn't stop us from heading over to the Jenness Farm open house.   They make awesome goat milk soaps and lotions - both of which I've used before - and their lip balm was voted the Best in NH.  For some reason, I'd never been to the farm and store before (a few local places carry a limited selection of their line). 

It's a great little place with a cool farm store and lots of fun animals running around.  I discovered their line was so much more than the soaps and lotions I've used in the past!  They even have shampoo, conditioner and bug spray.  I picked up a few things, including some Christmas gifts and some of that "Best in NH" lip balm to try.  Their flavors all sounded delish, it was tough to choose... hello, Pumpkin Cheesecake!  I haven't used it yet, but will this week. 

Shame on me for not snapping more photos of the actual farm and store.  Apparently, I wasn't thinking... or was in alpaca baby goo-goo land.  There were several vendors there for the open house, including a nearby alpaca farm who brought a Mama & Baby to hang out.

Here's one last picture from Jenness Farm... isn't he (or she?) the cutest jacka$$ ever?

Sunday brought some nicer weather and the annual Farm Day at Miles Smith Farm. We love this farm, but have never been able to attend Farm Day due to other conflicts (yes, usually racing).... so I was very excited that we finally got to go this year!  I remembered to bring my camera and took lots of pictures, but haven't had a chance to download them yet... which  means you get my Instagram shots for now.

We've been to Miles Smith Farm several times.  The very first time we stopped by, we found it was actually past their store hours and were heading back to the car when one of the owners came out to greet us.  He then spent a good hour with us, giving us a tour of the farm and welcoming us into the tiny store.  We learned a lot about the gorgeous Scottish Highlander Cattle and  got some of the best beef I have ever had. 

We've visited the farm a few times since then, each time being invited to walk around as much as we'd like.  They have added a larger retail store space in a lovely barn and have expanded their products to include lots of items from other local farms (eggs, raw milk, pork, chicken, produce, etc).

The Farm Day event was fabulous... so much to see and do!  There were cow rides for the kids, as well as your more traditional hayride.  I had a grand time feeding apples to several of the cattle... perhaps even more so than the kids that it might have been geared towards.  There were several babies on the farm.  The little guy in the picture below is just about two weeks old (there were two other wee ones that were born just last week as well).  He got oh-so-close but was still just a tad too shy to take an apple from our hands.  His Mama, on the other hand, had no problems not only taking the apples but actually did her best to point me to the direction of the bucket where I could get her some more.

The calf below is a little bit older.  Her name is Phoebe and she was munching on pumpkin and hanging out with Ms. Charlotte Piggy in the "petting zoo" area.

It was an amazing two days!  Lots of great leaf peeping while driving to both farms, and some beautiful animals to ooh and ahh over.  I love fall.  I love New England.

On a side note, today is my Mom's birthday.  Please join me in wishing her a happy, crafty good day!  Here she is with one of her famous crochet bears.  I commissioned her to make this one for baby Quinn earlier this year.

Happy Birthday Mom!

And, just in case you missed yesterday's late afternoon post, check out my review of Lace One-Skein Wonders and enter to win a copy!

Review & Giveaway: Lace One-Skein Wonders

Lace One-Skein Wonders

101 Projects Celebrating the Possibilities of Lace

by Judith Durant

Paperback:  304 Pages
Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC (September 10, 2013)

Judith Durant has done it yet again... Lace One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects Celebrating the Possibilities of Lace is the latest in her truly amazing One-Skein Wonders series. It is, perhaps, one of the most anticipated.  

Lace patterns have taken the knitting world by storm in recent years.  In fact, there are now over 425 lace groups on Ravelry.  One group for beginners has over 9,500 members, truly showing just how popular this technique is.  Knitters sure do love their lace, which is often made by pairing combinations of special decreases and increases in a pattern.  The technique is used to make both clothing and accessories... everything from heirloom quality shawls to children's dresses to airy curtains to intricate tablecloths. 

With the holidays coming, and all of the "on summer vacation" knitters re-discovering their needles now that the cooler temps are here, the timing of Lace One-Skein Wonders couldn't be more perfect.  As with previous installments in the One-Skein Wonders series, the patterns have been contributed by knitters, designers and shop owners from all over the world.  Each project uses just one skein of yarn - making them perfect for all of those luxurious yarns you've been coveting or the lonely leftover skeins in your basket. 

Lace One-Skein Wonders is organized into five major chapters, many of which are broken down info more specific categories:

• From Head to Toe
• Hats & Caps
• Mitts, Gloves & Cuffs
• Socks
• Knits for Kids
• Baby & Toddler Wear
• To Have and To Hold
• It's a Wrap
• Scarves
• Cowls
• Shawls & Stoles
• Lacy Accessories
• For the Home

As you can see, there is literally something for everyone!  I'm not sure I've ever seen such an extremely wide variety of projects in one book before.  The patterns are easy to follow with clearly written instructions and detailed charts.  The photography throughout is stunning and truly brings the projects to life. 

Some of the patterns that have caught my eye include:

• Tredegar Hat - this beret-style hat can be knit as is, or turned into a more slouchy style by adding an extra lace chart repeat
• Travel-Worthy Mitts - if you know me, you know I love my fingerless mitts.  Luxury meets function with these cashmere hand warmers... and bonus, one skein of Jade Sapphire Mongolian Cashmere 2-ply nets two pair of mitts... make one for yourself, and give a matching pair to a friend.  win-win
• Baby Twist Pullover - this sweet cable and lace patterned top would look chic on any little girl
• Mezzaluna Scarf - knit end to end, then turned 90 degrees to add a border, this crescent shaped scarf is as versatile as it is gorgeous... wear it around your neck or draped over your shoulders
• Firefly Table Mat - this pretty little round mat instantly dresses up any side table

While I'd love to spotlight all of the contributors, that is just not possible in this review.  However, I wanted to point out one in particular, Gina House.  Her Mari Lace Cowl is a simple, yet beautiful airy Mobius cowl that would easily fit in any woman's wardrobe. I know Gina personally and will be reviewing her new book, Wonderlace shortly... stay tuned! 

If you're already hooked on lace, or interested in learning more about the technique, Lace One-Skein Wonders is a must for your knitting bookshelf!  Grab a second copy to gift this holiday season and you'll put a smile on another knitter's face as well. 

But wait.... thanks to the great folks over at Storey Publishing, I get to give away a copy of Lace One-Skein Wonders to one lucky reader!  Use the Rafflecopter below to enter to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Storey Publishing, LLC sent a complimentary copy of Lace One-Skein Wonders to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.

Black & White Sunday: Leaf Peepin'

Happy Sunday!  We hope everyone is enjoying their long Columbus Day Weekend.  Zeus is getting his leaf peepin' on... and it may just be because I'm his Mama, but man how I love this "mistake" shot I captured when trying to get him to look at the camera.  Beauty sometimes appears where you least expect it...



{This Moment} See Beautiful: Fabulous Fall

TGIF!  I've said it before, but I'll say it again... Fall is my most favorite time of year!  The gorgeous leaves, the crisp air, hot apple cider, cider donuts, pumpkins, apples... what's not to love?  It's also my favorite time to take photos.

I snapped a few of my beauties yesterday, although we didn't get all the pretty leaves in as I had hoped.

See this big 'ole leaf pile that Sophie found?  That's the background I was hoping for in our group photos... I guess I should have relocated them.  oops

Speaking of pretty leaves...

We hope you all have a beautiful Friday and enjoy your Columbus Day weekend!

Sniffin' Out Fall

Happy Wednesday... let's get wordless!

REVIEW: Great Little Gifts to Knit

Great Little Gifts to Knit

30 Quick and Colorful Patterns

by Jean Moss

Paperback: 144 Pages
Publisher:  Taunton Press (September 3, 2013)

The only thing knitters love more than creating things may be sharing those creations with the ones we love.  But, let's face it, we are busy.  Despite all good intentions, more often than not, projects just don't get finished in time for birthdays and holidays.  Enter Great Little Gifts to Knit: 30 Quick and Colorful Projects.

As a knitter, I know I am always looking for new and exciting quick knit patterns.  Great Little Gifts to Knit features 30 fresh patterns that incorporate traditional knitting techniques from all over the world.  From Fair Isle and Aran to Japanese shadow knitting, there's something that will appeal to everyone. 

Great Little Gifts to Knit is divided into 4 chapters: Baby, Hers, His, and Home.  The instructions throughout the book are well written and easy to follow.  Charts and graphs are clear and easy to read, and the photographs will have you wanting to make one of everything! 

Some of the stand-outs for me are:

Baby

• Cuddle Cocoon - the perfect gift to welcome home a new baby, there are 2 versions based on the knitter's experience level
• Baby Love Blanket - at first it appears to be a simple stripped blanket, until you see the hidden hearts from shadow knitting

Hers

• Jive Leg Warmers - knit with a bulky yarn, these cabled leg warmers are the perfect gift for all the girls in your life, from your 'lil sis to your bff
• Deco Backpack - "color work without complication" is how the author describes this one... worked in slip stitch, using just one color at a time, there's no carrying the yarn behind your work and the results are stunning

His

• Hendrix Guitar Strap - while I still don't think my guy will ever use a knit strap, I love the look
• Galway Beanie - this Aran weight cabled hat is simple and functional, exactly what a guy wants when it comes to handknits

Home

• Wensleydale Tea Cozy - a great pattern to practice your tuck skills (your what, you ask?  click here)
• McDougal Dog Jacket - for obvious reasons, but also because this Intarsia knit is quite eye catching

If you're looking for some fresh, colorful projects to create, check out Great Little Gifts to Knit.  After all, it is holiday knitting season!  Get those needles clicking...

About the Author: Jean Moss is a designer, writer, teacher, gardener, blogger, musician, and maker.  She has designed for Rowan Yarns and many international fashion houses including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Laura Ashley, and Benetton.  Jean is the author of numerous books, the most recent being Sweet Shawlettes.  She lives in York, England and hosts knitters’ tours in the UK and throughout Europe.

Disclaimer: Taunton Press sent a complimentary copy of Great Little Gifts to Knit to Lapdog Creations for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.