Blink....and 2 weeks fly!

Times flies....seems the older I get the faster it travels.  Hmmm- perhaps not a good situation!  So, to get you caught up on what's been going on...... 

First off, the Hubbs had his shoulder surgery, and everything is going according to the plan.  Rehab will start soon, I am sure.  He has a road yet to travel, but hopefully he'll not encounter too many bumps along the way.

Fall has finally come to stay here in Iowa.  It's fresh and crisp and lovely!  My favorite time of the year.  It comes, of course, with it's special chores.....not the least of which is late fall garden work. 

 

This year we had an extra good helper!  Digging up those potatoes is a childhood memory of mine.  I helped my dad when I was about his age.  I still get a little burst of excitement when the shovel of dirt is overturned and you see....just how many 'taters are hiding under the surface!  And of course, makes for good eating.  BG likes baked potatoes.  And, "Grammy" (as I am now called) appreciates a quick last minute (microwave) food that he will usually eat.....as he gets pickier and pickier about what he eats.  Sigh....we knew it wouldn't last.

I brought in my Christmas Cactus after the first light frost.  It's loaded with small buds, and I am sooooo hoping that they will mature and make lovely blooms.  Several years ago, I discovered that if I left the plant out in the yard till right after the first light frost, it would set on buds and be gorgeous in a few weeks.  Prior to that discovery, my plants rarely bloomed.  Those smarter that me will probably know the reason why this works.....I'm just happy to have accidently discovered it!  The blossoms are usually long gone my Christmas, but early is better than no blooms at all.

And, while most of my outdoor plants are gone now, this begonia has decided to show one last burst of beauty!  It's actually prettier now than it was this summer.  It has survived a couple of light frosts - and just keeps on showing off.

You can see in the background, this pretty tree.  Of course, under all those gorgeous red branches are piles of equally pretty leaves waiting to be raked!

I have been spinning up a storm the last couple of weeks.  I discovered that I had quite a nice collection of reds and browns in the fiber stash.  So, I have been spinning them up into worsted weight yarns.  No real plan at this point, just spinning for the sheer pleasure of it.  Three of these have been in my stash for over a year (or two?).  I say no more.....

 And on the knitting front.... I knit a hat for my mom out of a skein of left over Berroco Vintage in dark heather brown.  I failed to photograph it, however, so my apologies.  She liked it and I offered to knit her a pair of matching gloves. 

 Here is the first glove, finished except I left yarns hanging on the fingertips so that if I need to adjust the length, I can.  I really like the pattern, and plan to make several as gifts for the Holidays.  These mom will receive as soon as they are done, but she just might be receiving a dark green set for Christmas. 

 So, I leave you with my latest dilemma. The new kitchen appliances are in, the new countertops are in, the new windows are in, the new window coverings are up, and now.....the kitchen flooring is the next decision I must make.  The Hubbs is pretty much "whatever you want".  Hmmm...if only I knew. 

 The process was started this weekend.  Again - new options and new materials available that I knew nothing about!  Six samples came home with us.  I think each of these have been on the "that's the one" list.....till the next one took it's place.  Oh dear!  I am so glad we are not building a new house from scratch again.  I'm sure we'd never live long enough to see it to completion.  Each decision is taking such a long time.  On the good side though - we are overwhelmingly pleased with each of the decisions we have made, so, perhaps it pays to take your time....and time....and lots of time!