Minnesota Knitters' Days

Last weekend was Minnesota Knitters' Days at Villa Maria.

It was Domino Knitting with Susanna Hansson.

I got a new camera (finally!) for the occasion.

It came in very handy when figuring out the colors.

The Gypsy was in town for the event.  She managed to stump the instructor.

The grounds are absolutely beautiful and the weather was downright hot.

I'm not a country girl but I am very fond of the location.

Plus I love the labyrinth out  back.

Hope to make it again next year.

Nothing New to Report

The Girls went with me to the Guild meeting last week. It was fun to have them along. There were lots of beautiful things to see at the meeting but in general there were fewer knitted items that inspire a knitter like myself - most were much more complicated than I would make. Lots of color work and few (reasonably sized) shawls.

I finally worked in the ends so that Girl-child can wear her new mitts. The children at school think she is just that much more awesome now that she has superpower mitts.

I don't know if I mentioned I am ripping the carpet out of my condo.  It was my summer project.  Getting the bookshelves moved was the hardest part since all the books had to be taken off the shelves.  It was kind of hard to walk through the place until I had it done.

And speaking of books, I think I instagram-ed this but never posted.  I found the most amazing card-catalog bag at The Rack this summer.  I absolutely love it.

At some point this summer I noticed that there were pianos out on Grand Ave in various spots (I think I saw three).  I don't know what the story is behind it but I found it delightful.  Wish I knew how to play.

I have not walked around the lake lately but at some point I did snap this shot of a drinking fountain for human adults and children with an additional doggie-height option.  Because I saw someone at a different fountain without the doggie height addition letting their pooch drink from the human fountain I don't think I will ever use a public fountain again.

Amazing shoe season is almost over.  Such a pity - it can be so entertaining.

This shot of the old courthouse is taken from inside the government center, basement level, through a waterfall.  It's a lovely spot.

Next weekend is Minnesota Knitters' Days.  The Gypsy will be in town for the event.  I can't wait.

Knitting

I have been knitting a bit lately ... 

...this pair of socks were sent to Boy-child's landlady in D.C. today:

I made a second Color Affection in colors that are more in keeping with what I usually wear:

And there are more projects under way.  Some are surprises so I will only show this, which is proof that for me knitting is not just the stuff, it's not just the process; color therapy plays a large part in my love of knitting.

The lace project has been put into hibernation.  I'm hoping it will make sense again when it wakes up ;-)

Party

There was a big party here last weekend.  And there were a couple of pre-party get-togethers since so many people came from out of town.

I hosted two cousins at my place and took them to the Sculpture Garden at the Walker as well as the American Swedish Institute.  They have never lived in Minnesota so I tried showing them some of the new and some of the old.

I got to see some people I hadn't seen for a very long time - folks who did grow up here but  moved away after college.  They have grown kids now too.  Funny how that happens.

There was a lot of catching up to do.

Auntie was "Queen for a Day" last Sunday.  She had a crown, speeches were made.

Being part of a royal family is special.

There were lots of people - some related and some friends.

Good times were had by all.

Mini Golf Part II

It's been a good year for mini-golf! Have I ever mentioned I love mini-golf?

During our stay-cation I went with The Girls to the Science Museum and played mini-golf. Then last weekend I went to The Walker with a friend to play the artist-designed mini-golf there.

First we ducked into see what's been planted in the conservatory, which is always interesting:

 

My favorite - an homage to Marcel Duchamp's Fountain.

Also my only hole-in-one.

 It was a great outing, followed by brunch.

Let's hear it for long weekends - hooray!