'Tis (Almost) the Season...

'Tis almost the season to deck the halls with boughs of holly!

And, while I'm not quite ready to bid farewell to pumpkins and mums, I am stocking up on the greens!

It was greens market day in the charming small Michigan town of Northville, not too far from Ann Arbor for you Michigan folk. And quite the wonderful place it is!

So, my buddy Jan and her mom, aunt and I headed that way for their annual greens market.

Now, we weren't seeing snow flakes -- in fact, after our chill October, November has been remarkably warm if not always sunny. But it was lots better than last year's pouring rain! In fact, it was downright perfect -- sunny, 50s, festive.

Here's Jan -- picking a great wreath. I ended up with a centerpiece, wreath, some holly and a beautiful kissing ball for the hall.

And this gourd woman's work was just amazing.

You can bet I left with something from this stall. A little too much from that stall!

And after, a visit to a wonderful garden/home decorating spot. But the photos for that? That's another post!

Then late lunch/early dinner at a nearby restaurant, and eventually home. I've got to say, with my bruised (broken?) rib(s) and only five hours of sleep, home was good.

Holidays are nearly here -- which leads me to the holiday crazies. Buying the greens is easy; figuring out all the rest of it -- that gets tough!

I've lots of UFOs to finish for an upcoming show, and I'll share some of those soon. Here's one I don't remember posting. Meanwhile, we're just taking it one day at a time!

Rick continues to improve and is appreciating all the good wishes you passed along his way! I'm grateful to finally get back to creativity and for all the inspiration I draw from you! Now if I can get that badly needed dose of energy and rest and a little less discomfort, I'll be a mighty happy camper. That might take a few...

(Now at Chopsticks and String -- a fun new book meme!)

Off the Needles

I haven't posted anything creative for a long while -- you probably think I don't do anything!

Wrong! I've been finishing my UFOs (Unfinished objects).

This purse was one I started while Greg was in surgery. It is a felted bag and the whole texture and color blending of the yarn changed when felted. (It almost completely lost the green!)

I loved this button -- it's perfect with the colors!

I also finished some scarves. The yarn on this one is far more beautiful than the photos -- the light washed it out. Rich browns, metallic golds, dark orange and burgundy "blobs" on the yarn.

(Thanks, Suzanne -- great yarn!)

This came from yarn in the basement I got probably 20 years ago!

It'll be toasty warm! It's very heavy!

And as soon as I stitch them up, I can add another pair of hand-warmers to this list! (And there's another on the needles!)

So, back to it!