Simon (in the red shirt on the far left) went to a friend's birthday party today. It's such a nice picture of the kids, I just had to share it. From Simon clockwise: Tim (the birthday boy, turning 13 and already 6 ft. tall), his brother Steven (8 yrs old and nearly as tall as me), their friend Kyle, their brother Sam (11), their sister Abby (6), their adopted sister Kushi (5), their friend Ryan. A great group of kids, and an absolutely beautiful day!

I promise to get some more knitting pictures up soon. Before the end of this week.

Thurber Docent and Library

Simon has been training to be a Junior Docent at the Thurber House. James Thurber spent a good portion of his life here in Columbus, and the Thurber House is where he lived for part of that time. Simon is now a Thurber expert, and will be leading tours at upcoming events. Yesterday was the graduation. Here he is - isn't he handsome?

This was part of the ceremony - you can see the two teachers there, saying wonderful things about our kids.

This is his whole class of kids. Aren't they great looking? He's slouching a little, but he was the tallest one there! It's amazing!

After that event, we headed to the Main Library for the Centennial celebrations. They had authors in every division, cake and ice cream, and lots of live music. One of the groups was me and some friends. Nick, Jami and I play traditional music, folk music, etc.

We had a lot of fun there. Nick is on Hammered Dulcimer, Jami on guitar, and I played Mountain Dulcimer, washboard, and spoons, depending on the song. We also all sang. It was fun! All of the other groups were professional musicians who happen to have some connection to the library . . .we are professional Librarians who happen to play music as a hobby. There is a rumor that we'll get paid, but as of yet we've seen no check. LOL

We're talking about playing some Farmer's Markets around the area someday. Hey, nothing like having a second source of spending money from your hobby, right? and I have a lot of hats we could set out!

Finally more Chicago Pics

I can't believe I've let this go so long! Sorry, loyal readers! Now - here is Simon at the Field Museum - one of our favorite places on Earth. He was happy as a clam to be there again!

One of the things we did with our Wordcraft friends was celebrate Bob's birthday. Bob is from England, and it was the first time we've met him face-to-face. He collects Alice in Wonderland books and stuff, so I got him some bunny ears (and a book). Doesn't he look happy to be in the US?

I have a whole series of pictures of our group taking turns wearing the bunny ears. This is Ken (from Chicago). Simon refused to wear them (and in fact was trying quite hard not to appear to be part of the group at this point).

The last night we were in Chicago, Nancy and Ken had us all over for a Seder dinner. It was cool to commemorate Passover with them, doing their traditional religious and familial things. Here you see, left to right, Margaret (from UK), Ken, Simon, Me, Tony, Scott.

That evening we got a good picture of all the Wordcrafters who got together.

Front row: me, Nancy (Chicago), Anita (Columbus, also), Richard (UK), Bob, Ken.

Don't we look like a fun bunch?

Today is a busy day - we're celebrating Simon's graduation from the Thurber House Docent Training, and then we're helping to celebrate the Main Library's Centennial. I'll try to get pics up soon for those things!

Happy belated Easter!

Here is the basket I knit and felted for Scott and Tony. And here they are!

<< Scott, one of my dearest and most wonderful friends.

<<< Tony . . . who is actually nice enough to be with Scott and make me happy about it.

The gloves I finished on Easter Sunday. Aren't they neat? This is the yarn that is infused with aloe and jojoba, so they'll theoretically condition my hands as I wear them. They're my first-ever gloves and I didn't really have a pattern, so it was very interesting to make them! I need to work on the thumb shaping, but otherwise I am please with the outcome.

More pics will be posted in the next few days - all of our trip to Chicago!

Baby Stuff!

One of my Knit Wit friends says she never saw the pics of the baby kimono sweater I make for Lei-Ping's baby. Here it is! I think it'll be a few months before her baby will be able to wear it w/o swimming in it, though. I'll have to see if I can get some pics of baby in it soon, nevertheless.

Do you remember this pink baby jumper I made? Here is the detail of the hem.

And here is Baby Lucia visiting us at the library wearing her lovely finery! Beautiful Lucia Catherine! They say her middle name is because of some grandmother or something . . . but golly, it still makes me happy! And isn't she darling? Seems like whenever I hold her she quickly goes sound to sleep. Also, in a fit of maternal envy I volunteered to babysit. LOL But wouldn't you do the same? She's so soft and cuddly!