Funny Magic

End of September Randomness

A funny Zinnia Juliet and I spotted (and picked) from the garden:

"Date night" with Charlie, where we went to see Mary Poppins: The Musical, a birthday gift from his grandpa. It was a wonderful performance, and so much fun to do something special with my sweet boy - we took the light rail train downtown and back home together, walked arm-in-arm amongst the people and tall buildings, and had each other's undivided attention for hours. Good stuff.

 

Juliet's drawing on the pink etch-a-sketch made me really happy - I'm glad I snapped a pic before it was erased:

Yesterday I wore my knitted socks that, for a short while, I loved to hate:

I love them now, 100%, and I thank you all for your kind words!

Did you know that tomorrow marks the beginning of Socktoberfest? Here's the lowdown:

A very simple concept with very few restrictions - Socktoberfest is a month-long (throughout the month of October) celebration of socks. It is a simple celebration of the accessories that we make as crafters to cover our feet. Think of it more as a festival than a knitalong - people who love something come together and celebrate it!

I'm gonna be participating in a Mystery Sock KAL, and I must say that I'm rather excited for tomorrow!

Have a good rest of the day.................

Socks and Salad

I'm happy to report today that I finally finished a pair of socks that I've been knitting for the past 5 months. Yes, FIVE MONTHS. All's I can say is that "Second Sock Syndrome" was breathing down my neck until I finished the other night.

Details are ravelled here. I think I lost gusto on these because I just wasn't totally diggin' the colors. Lately I've been loving the jewel tones of red, pink, purple and blue; orange and brown just isn't doin' it for me right now.

That said, if you're in the market for knitted socks I can't recommend Sensational Knitted Socks by Charlene Schurch enough. It's extremely versatile, perfect for beginners (I believe) as well as advanced sock knitters, and how she has you construct the heel (no unsightly gaps!) is perfect.

Moving on to salad...

While grocery shopping yesterday I picked up a pomegranate, with the idea that I'd use it in a salad for dinner. Here's what I came up with:

I cooked-up some red beets, cooled them down and then tossed with pomegranate seeds, feta cheese, fresh spinach, sliced avocado, balsamic vinegar, and a bit of olive oil. It was delish, especially alongside BLT sandwiches. Anyone have any other suggestions for how to use/serve/eat pomegranate seeds? Because I love them.

Toodles for now!

For Juliet

Finished knitting the Child's Jacket for Juliet from Sarah Dallas Knitting, but it doesn't look much like a jacket, now does it?

That's because I made some major modifications; after I'd knit up the back and the front panels, I realized that it was either gonna be too small, or that it would fit just right. Turns out, after blocking and seaming the shoulders and sides, that it was indeed a tad on the small side. What to do, then?

I turned to my new favorite book, Crochet Adorned, and added a border to the bottom for length. Then Juliet tried it on and declared that she didn't want any sleeves (oh, pity!), so I added the same crocheted border to each shoulder, and she was finished.

I tried to get a good picture of Juliet wearing her new top, but she has been none to impressed with having her picture taken these days. Instead, I'll bid y'all a happy weekend, and sign off with some flower power:

Oh, and I just hopped aboard a cool swap here - signups, I believe, are still open!

First Day

We've been settling into the new school year here at Funny Magic headquarters...Charlie started school a couple of weeks ago, and today marks the first day of Juliet's second year of preschool.

Here's me: "Smile pretty for the camera, Smooch!"

And here's her:

Goofball, all the way.

When we got to her school there was a friendly kitty there to greet us:

Right now I'm drinking coffee and relaxing in my quiet, mostly-noiseless house; I love my wild-n-crazy kids with all my heart, but man, these three mornings a week are gonna feel like heaven! I've got so many things I wanna do around the house, like some unfinished painting projects that have been put off for years, a kitchen countertop that needs re-grouting, cobwebs that need removing...I could go on. But today? Absolutely nothing. !!!

Have a good Wednesday!

We Went to the Fair...

...and had a whole lotta fun, of course! Here's the proof in pics:

The Grand Entrance

Cheese curds and bacon on a stick. Yummers!

In the House of Travelling Reptiles with Charlie.

Tried to win something big and soft and fuzzy for Juliet but failed miserably. Whaahh!

Wandered around on the Midway and went on a few rides....

Not this one, though:

We'll save that one for next year......

Cover that Cushion! Then Listen to this Album.

Finally got around to making a cover for one of two floor cushions that have been waiting patiently for adornment:

It looks a bit sloppy here, but not to worry - I remedied that by taking in the left and right sides by an inch last night. Now it's nice and snug.

The patchwork squares are from Amy's Charm Square Swap that I took part in many months ago - glad to say that I'm finally putting them to good use, and that I'm having tons of fun playing around with the patterns and colors. (The rest of the cushion fabric was pulled from the stash.) Cushion #2 is currently in progress....

On another note, have you listened to this album lately, if ever?

Hubby came home with the Beach Boys' Pet Sounds about a month ago, and since then I haven't been interested in listening to much else. Like tonight, while the kids were sleeping upstairs I sat in the living room and listened to this album and alternately read the liner notes while turning a heel on a pair of socks that I've been working on for an eternity and then some, for frick's sake! Anyhoo, I kinda' feel like climbing atop the nearest roof and shouting about it, that's how amazing it is. Which is to say that I've never really been into the Beach Boys, but darn if hubby's not turning me on to all the Brian Wilson-driven tunes; I've seen the light of his musical genius and it's bright, I tell ya. Just listen to this:

I love it. Time for bed now. Have a good Thursday!