After a Wedding and Halloween...two weeks later...

I'm sorry to have missed you last week. My cousin had a beautiful wedding day and we were traveling on Sunday. I hardly ever get to see my extended family so it was a big treat.

Here is a great image of my dad, his older brother and my two cousins playing Parcheesi. This was quite the epic game.

You would think that I'd have so much time to craft, but I only stuck to one large project the majority of the time. I was working on the Marled Mania Cardigan. With the markers in place, it's a mostly mindless knit, which was perfect for the flights, the frequent waiting around, and relaxing at night. Some of the smaller projects that I've been doing needed a chart or if I forgot what row of lace I was on...disaster! I'm having fun bringing in different colors to the cardigan. I hope to make one for myself after the holiday season is over.

We had a new addition to our family this week. Meet Molly.

Halloween came and went so quickly. My boys were happy to dress up and I think I have a picture of me in my little costume. We didn't coordinate this year and I'd be surprised if you could guess who my older son was dressed as. Can you guess who I am?

Ethan is dash. My sister-in-law was Anna to coordinate with her son's Olaf costume from the movie Frozen. It was super cute. My brother-in-law's costume didn't turn out so he seemed comfortable in the non-costume. If only I had a picture of them.

I've started NaNoWriMo...just keep typing...just keep typing. My current goal is 2,000 words per day to give me some wiggle room. Friday night, day 2, was the first night I couldn't meet the goal, but I've been feverishly working on the writing this weekend. I'm hoping to catch back up and have 8,000 words before Monday. I was thinking of some pattern designs that could go with the book...if only time was allowed for such ambition!

Exciting news! The Colorblock Slippers pattern from Kelly White that I tested last month is live. Check it out. It's a great pattern for holiday giving and you can whip up a pair in a weekend. The size range is great, from toddler to men's. Even if you're not looking for a slipper pattern currently, please give it a heart.

Lastly, I wanted to take a moment to remember my grandfather, Harold. His birthday was on November 1. He passed away a few years ago, but I still miss him. My mother-in-law was planning to do a Day of the Dead celebration. The first person I thought of who I wanted to remember and ask to come visit me was my grandfather. Earlier I had been thinking about him at my cousin's wedding. Knowing that he was with us, but wishing he could have been there in person crossed my mind several times. He had been very sick and was in a lot of pain when he passed, so there is some consolation in the fact that he free from the suffering. Ultimately, I feel so blessed to have been able to share time with as much of my family as possible last weekend.

Happy crafting! Have a great week.