Holiday Spin

It's the time of year when my imagination overdrives the amount of time available, and I end up spinning in circles, trying to accomplish last minute Christmas gifts, etc. I have some sewing planned, but mostly, it's going to be a bit laid back this year.



I finished knitting a pair of bedsocks for a girl who was in a serious automobile accident. Parents of one of her friends asked if I would make her some because she moves around a lot in her hospital bed, and doesn't keep covers on. Hopefully, her feet will remain warm! Also working on a pair for my quilting buddy, Viki; first sock is done, and I'm nearing the heel on the second. I signed up for Socks for Soldiers, and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of those supplies.



Our trip to Florida came and went in a big hurry. It was great, just too fast. Kathi and Sherri joined us from Oregon, and they are new to knitting. Sherri is brand new . . . still was working on her first dishcloth. She caught on quickly, and steamed right through that project, and on to a couple more. Kathi was knitting patterned dishcloths, with a bee hive and a lady bug on each. We did a little scouting on the internet, and found TONS of dishcloth patterns. Since we were in Florida, we found many that would follow a beach vacation theme . . . flamingo, hibiscus blossom, dolphins, palm trees. Made me want to knit dishcloths, but I have to finish the socks I have going first!



As usual, we made the trip to Dunedin, for lunch at Bon Appetit on the Marina, and then to Rainbow's End. I was remarkably well-behaved! I bought a batik scrap bag, a pattern, and some fat quarters. Stops at Patches Galore and Quilt Haven yielded some scrap bags, and the fabrics to make pillow cases as Christmas gifts. We went to Kneedles and Knobs, too, and I got the yarn for some Harry Potter items for grandson, Ben. He's just six, but he is reading the Harry Potter series by himself. He loves them, and knows all the finite details about the characters. I'm anxious to see how he will like his Harry Potter sweater and scarf.



We were able to attend Ribfest in Vinoy Park in Saint Petersburg on Sunday late afternoon. We saw Zac Brown's Band. The place was so packed, you couldn't even get near the booths to try the ribs. Multiple lines at each booth were 30 to 40 people deep. We ended up picking up pizzas on the way home! Glad I didn't try to get a Ribfest t-shirt as a souvenir . . . seems sort of like it should be against the law to go to a big food festival and not be able to get any of the food! I was with my friends, though, so I had a great time.



We caught the flea market one day, too, and while I didn't spend much on fabric, I scored quite a few books. I found lots of bargains on clothing at the outlet mall, so when it was time to think about packing to go home, we made a quick stop at the Pack and Send to launch my books, fabric, and dirty laundry toward home. I put my new clothing purchases and gifts in my suitcase, and off we went.



We had plenty of leisure time, too. I did a little knitting, a little sun-worshipping, and a lot of reading. Ate my fill of seafood while close to the source, too. We have some places that we love to go . . . Crabby Bill's on the Beach, for shrimp and a very tasty Margarita; then Back Fin Blue in Gulfport for wonderful crab cakes, with corn and crab chowder. Always ready to go back for those!

12/15/09: I intended to add pictures and post this sooner. Better to post now, than wait any longer!