I got a really neat call on October 19, from Trish at RemDawg Nation, saying that IF there was a Game 7 of the ALCS, that I'd won two tickets to go and see it.  IF somehow, there was NOT a Game 7, then I'd be receiving a pair of tickets to Opening Day at Fenway Park in 2008.  Oh, yeah, and either way, dinner for two at Bertucci's in Kenmore Square was included.  I was speechless for a moment, and then I nearly screamed.  Luckily for Trish, I managed to merely squeal in delight!  Long story short, I took my friend Marguerite from church, and here is what it looked like:

Ok, so I forgot to take out the camera BEFORE we ate, but it was obviously yummy!

Our seats were in the Grandstand, Section 16, Row 13, Seats 9 and 10.  This was the view.  The Dropkick Murphys played the National Anthem. "Tessie", and "Shipping Up to Boston", and had some Irish Step dancers to liven up the show (as if any "livening" was needed!).  See the performances here.

Are more words needed?

 Well, there was some camping in Spencer, MA with NAFCA at the Mass. Fall Frolic.  And while there, Connor had a reunion with his People to People leaders and other delegates.  The kids created a "Basket Full of Memories" for each leader.   Each delegate was asked to bring something to put into the basket for each leader, and the kids all signed the custom-designed Longaberger Baskets to create keepsakes. 

Let me tell you, the creativity of these kids was amazing.  Some brought photos and one made an individual album for each leader.  (Apparently, the photos were of some "interesting" moments during the trip.)  Some wrote lovely notes.  Others wrapped surprise trinkets.  One even added a candy bar.  You see, at two different places, these kids managed to buy EVERY PICE OF CANDY available, and wipe out the inventory of the shops while they were in Australia.  Go figure...

Then there was the day I came home to the package full of Alaskan tea and yarn goodness from my Knit One, Tea Two swap buddy, Lisa W.

In October we did some more camping, and had our annual Halloween campout.  I think my favorite part of that is the pumpkin carving contest.  Grant W. always comes up with something tremendously creative, and this year was no exception.  His "pumpkin theme scene" this year was "Fondue", inspired by the club's new-found fascination with all things warm and dippable (is that a word?).

More later - the blog and I are not getting along right now...lol.

So, at the end of August we did a "Boston Weekend", where the boys planned everything, but had only $100 budget.  We hit the Museum of Science on Friday night (we have a membership) and checked out the Gilliland Observatory on the roof of the garage there.  We went back Saturday and saw "Far, Far Away: The Worlds of Star Wars" at the Charles Hayden Planetarium and spent additional time poking around the exhibits.  We ate sandwiches in the car (had to stay in budget!) and then took the T to the Prudential Center so we could check out the Skywalk Observatory.  Too bad it was cloudy, but it was still neat.

On that Sunday we went to the MIT Museum (admission is free from 10a to noon on Sundays - again with the budgetary restraints!), and realized that we probably should have left a LOT more time to check it out.  We're planning on going back.  Here's a neat picture Connor took there:

Next, we used my Red Sox Nation discount and took a tour of Fenway Park, and then had just enough time to check out the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity.  For supper, we headed to Castle Island.  The boys were hoping to tour the fort, but it was already closed for the day, so I sprung for supper from Sullivan's.  And only then did they let my poor old body go home and rest.

Over Labor Day weekend, I took the boys to visit my friend Julie, who lives just outside of Atlanta, GA.  We flew in during a storm, so our landing was delayed a bit, but they boys got some neat cloud pics while we were in the air:

This really neat bit of sculpture is one of several at the airport in Atlanta.

My boys and I enjoyed eating at the local Steak 'n Shake.  They make the most interesting milkshakes I think I've ever seen.

Of course, since this was a business trip... Julie hosted a Longaberger party for me while I was there.

Wow, I didn't realize how long it would take me to "quickly" catch up.  Ok, so I'm through August.  Howzabout I do September and maybe October tomorrow?  (And I DO have knitting pics - just have to get them out of the camera...)

Ok, here it is.  Let's hope it actually posts without my going nuts first...

Christmas Around the World Swap Questionaire

1.      Are you religious?   I am a Christian

2.      How long have you been knitting? Would you consider yourself a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced?   Let’s see…I started knitting when my sister was pregnant with her first child.  I’d been crocheting since I was 4 and had collected MANY pattern books over the years – at least 25 of them with assorted crochet (and a few knitted) “baby things”.  I handed a stack to my sister and told her to pick anything she wanted for the baby, figuring that she’d choose something from one of the crochet only books, or at least in the “crochet” portion of a book containing both knit and crochet items.  Nope, she wanted the knit booties and baby hoodie that zipped up the back.  So, I went and bought three different “teach yourself to knit” type books and made the booties.  My nephew turns 15 this month.  I consider myself at least an Intermediate knitter, but wouldn’t shy away from anything that might be considered advanced.  That’s how we learn, right?

3.      Do you have any other hobbies besides knitting?   Yes – too many to list.  But a few are crocheting, reading, EATING (I like to cook and bake, too, but I HATE to clean up afterwards.), and camping.

4.      Favorite color(s)?   I like all shades of purple, and my house is decorated in "natural" sorts of colors and at the moment I'm really into any color you can find here: http://www2.longaberger.com/flyer/sept07/spread4-5.html

5.      Do you collect anything?   Well, yes, but hubby would really rather that I NOT.  (But it’s elephants, if you really want to know.  Oh, and baskets.  And yarn.  And that’s enough, I was just told….)

6.      Are you allergic to any fibers or animals?  I’m only allergic to “things with fur, feathers, or fuzz” – we can’t have pets, but I seem to be able to cope with any sort of fiber.

7.      Do you have any pets?   My son has Sea Monkeys because we can’t really have anything else (see #6).  Well, we could, but I’m not willing to deal with anything  else and the boys wouldn’t likely take care of it anyway.

8.      Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?   No, Yes, Yes

9.      Cookies or Sweets?   Yes, Yes  (Dark chocolate is a particular favorite sweetie)

10.  Do you knit socks?   Just starting to.  Hope to post a pic of my very first sock in the next day or so.  (Have to actually TAKE the photo first…)

11.  If not socks then what? (tell us about your favorite knits)   Oh, I like to knit whatever – I don’t play favorites – and I’m always interested in trying something new.

12.  Do you put up a Christmas tree? If not then what do you do?   Well, I don’t put up the tree – hubby and the kids do it!  LOL

13.  Favorite holiday treats?   I like them all (are you sensing a trend?)

14.  Favorite holiday smells?   Fresh Pine

15.  Do you celebrate Christmas in a traditional or unconventional way? Please elaborate.  I don’t know the answer to this one.  It’s traditional to me, I suppose…let me get back to you on this one.

16.  What are your favorite holiday traditions?   I like finding “just the right thing” for someone, and watching them opening it!  Also, at our house, Santa doesn’t wrap the gifts in paper.  Instead, each of the boys has his own square of holiday fabric that Santa uses to cover the pile of gifts for each child.  I like not having to clean up afterwards, and that we reuse the fabric each year.  Saves time, money, effort, and the environment!

17.  Finish the sentence: “For me Christmas is all about....”   celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ

18.  If you were a Christmas ornament you would be…….?   Umm…something round with limbs?  That’s what I look like these days...

19.  What was your favorite gift you've ever received? Or given?   Oh, shoot, I don’t know.  Can I get back to you on this one, too?

20.  When do you start your Christmas?   Not entirely sure what this one means…?  When do we start with the preparing?  Anyway, whatever it means, I still can’t answer it.  I’m not very good about getting ready for stuff, so it really varies a lot from one year to the next.

21.  Do you send Christmas cards? Do you make them or buy them?   I intend to send cards.  I usually buy them on clearance the year before.  Sometimes I actually address the envelopes.  I figure if I get them out before the first of the new year, I’m doing ok.  I’m just not that good….

22.  What is your favorite Christmas dish?   I guess I’m just no fun…I don’t pick favorites.  I like ‘em all.

23.  Carolers are at your door. What do you do?   I don’t know.  I’ve never had the experience.  What are you supposed to do?  I mean, I’d listen and all, but then what?  I wouldn’t know what was expected, except for applause and a “thank you”.  What DO you do?

24.  When do you open presents? Christmas eve or Christmas morning?   Both – family gifts are often exchanged Christmas Eve (if they boys have been behaving) and then Santa gifts are opened in the morning.

I think I did it!

I think I finally did it!  I think I figured out how to post the button for the Knit One, Tea Too Swap!

 Now, if only I can figure out how to make it show up on the side, so it's always handy...  Hmmm.......

We've finally figured out how to get Connor's jewelry listed on Etsy.  Sure, he's back from his  People to People trip to Australia already, but since we had to front his some of his tuition, he's still working to pay us back.  And now he wants to go on some sort of trip every year, so once he's paid us for this trip, he's starting to save for the next one.

I'm still trying to figure out how to take good close up pics with my camera (any tips?), so for now we only have a few of his pieces listed.  I think my favorite so far are the "Red Fish, Blue Fish" earrings:

Whaddya think?

I've signed up for something that sounds really interesting (and when I figure out how to make the pretty button work, I'll add that...)

Knit 1 Tea 2 Color Swap Questionnaire

1. Do you like loose tea or bags, or both – something you want to try?
I like both, although I primarily use bags because of the “quick ‘n’ easy” factor.  I like loose tea for those rare moments when I really have the time to enjoy the whole process.

2. What is your favorite kind of tea (Brand, flavor, variety, etc)?
I tend toward “whatever’s on sale” for my everyday tea – Tetley, Red Rose, Lipton, and such.  However, I was given some Lifeboat Tea from England for Christmas, and if I had enough it would replace the others.

3. Favorite color in regards to tea or one you would like to try? (black, green, red, and white) (keeping in mind that this is how this swap is set up).
I generally drink black teas, but I’d certainly try anything interesting.

4. Would you say you were a tea pot kind of person or just a hot water heater kind?
During the morning rush it’s obviously just put on the kettle and pour over the bag, but when the pace is slower I prefer a preheated teapot no matter the tea.

5. What tea accessories would you like but have never purchases for yourself?
Never did get myself one of those nice “single serving size” tea balls for the loose tea.

6. How do you prefer to be pampered? (examples: mani/pedi, bubble bath, yummy treat, etc).
Food...always food…or at least dark chocolate

7. If you were a kind of yarn what would you be and why?
This one will require some thought.  The answer may even change day to day, so I guess maybe I’d be something variegated…

8. If you had to knit/crochet baby booties, a fun fur scarf, or a fair isle sweater, which would you choose and why?
Hmm… another toughie.  Since any of those items would most likely be gifted, I suppose it’d be whatever the occasion calls for.  (Yeah, lame-o cop out answers, but I’m so often indecisive, you see.)

9. What other event would make you skip a tea party? (A garden party? A book club meeting? A yoga class? Opening night for a new action thriller? etc?)
I try to do as I was taught, and once I commit to attending something then I should go.  I suppose, though, that having a far-flung friend show up unexpectedly might be the sort of thing that would make me change plans last minute.

10. What treat would you consider essential at your tea party? (Sweet? Salty? Scones? Those petite pastry trays with a couple of all sorts of things? Little crust less sandwiches?)
Am I allowed to say that I’d like some of each, please?

11. When buying yarn for a project how do you choose - do you buy the one called for or do you substitute?
I’ve done both – depends on what I’m making and if I’ve used the yarn before or not.  Usually, though, I tend to find the yarn first (or even the buttons first – hubby thought I was way beyond help that time) and then figure out what the yarn wants to be.  (And only in a group such as this would that line may any sense what-so-ever.  Thank you for that.)

12. What do you carry your knitting/crocheting in when on the go?
I usually use a Longaberger basket or fabric tote.  Since  often have several projects going at a time, it’s easiest for me to have each one in a different container so I know which is which.

13. Favorite movie to watch while knitting/crocheting?
Well, I guess it’s whatever anyone else is watching, although if it’s just me then either sports or I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet.

14. Are you a traditional tea cup kind of person or a mug type of person? Do you care if they match?
Either one is fine by me – just NO Styrofoam, please!  Matching or not doesn’t really matter I suppose, but “coordinating” is nice.

15. Favorite childhood birthday party?
This will sound weird, but my favorite is a party that I pseudo-planned but never actually had.  It was to be a Dr. Seuss sleep-over, and everyone was to bring their favorite Dr. Seuss books, and all the treats were going to be inspired by the books.  I planned this party in junior high school and never got to have it.  I still think that someday I’m going to do it!

16. Favorite type of scone and jam?
How could I play favorites here?

17. If you use candles, what is your favorite scent?
I like vanilla, pine, and “herbal” as my friend says (like Yankee Candle’s Sage & Citrus).  Fruits are ok, but flowers tend to overwhelm.

18. If you could choose 3 people to have 'tea' with, who would they be and why? (famous or not, living or dead).
Can I pick 4?  It’d be my Mom, Nana, sister, and sister-in-law (all living).  My brother got married a little over a year ago in England, and we only met his bride just days before the wedding.  We haven’t really had any “just us girls” time, and a nice tea would be just the thing.

19. You've been invited to a tea party, what 'props' will you wear (formal or casual)?
I’m an “as is” person, so likely pretty casual.  If something more formal was stipulated I’d certainly find appropriate “props”.

20. Any allergies/preferences you have or are willing to admit to?
I’m only allergic to “things with fur, feathers, or fuzz” – we can’t have pets, but I seem to be able to cope with any sort of fiber.
21. Anything we missed that you want your pal to know?
Nothing I can think of at the moment.

And most of my pictures didn't come out very nice.  (And now this is the FIFTH time I've tried to create this post and it's not liking me.  I'm getting cranky now...)  Plus, I'm exhausted from the trip, so for the time being, here's a shot of Gavin working with a Longaberger weaver and making his own basket (as a gift - he wants to make sure you don't freak about the pink...lol):

We saw the World's Largest (Handwoven) Basket in Dresden, OH - right next to Popeye's Soda Shop:

Oh, and I finally got some knitting done:

That's a quick shot of Mystery Stole 3.  I only just got started on  Clue #1 while we were away, and because I'd printed the chart in B&W in a hurry before we left, I just figured out last night that I'd messed up the beading in the first 40 rows or so...<sigh>.  I'm not going to frog it, I don't think.  I suppose I'll just keep going and if I really don't like it I'll just have to make another one...LOL.

I got a few minutes and thought I'd mention my first spindle.  Yep, I finally went and did it.  Since it's "officially" a souvenir, hubby hasn't objected...yet!  (No pics yet, because while I remembered the camera, I forgot the silly cord that is the essential bridge from the camera to the computer.  Pics posted upon our return.)

We visited a neat little place called the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm yesterday, and there in the gift shop was this cute little spindle packaged with a bit of fiber and it was in my hand and all rung up before I could blink.  Since today is a "sitting around the camp" day, I figured I might try my hand with it later on.  Wish me luck!

 Oh, and a quick question (wherein I reveal incredible ignorance) as I try to figure out the instructions on how to use my new toy:  Is the hook supposed to be on the long part or the short part of the spindle?