Happy Thanksgiving ~

Gobble 'til you wobble :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

xoxo

Lauren

Cook is a Four Letter Word ~

Good day, dear readers.  So hard to believe that it is almost Thanksgiving and the end of yet another month.  I hate that Thanksgiving is so late, but I will just need to make the best of it.

I have not cooked Thanksgiving dinner in MANY years, probably close to 25.  My brother's DSO always does and a feast it is.  Sadly, this year she is "home" because her mother is ill.  My brother is on his way to be with her.  My heart breaks for her because I know how hard it is.  Please keep her in your prayers.

So I have been busy planning the menu, researching recipes, grocery shopping, cleaning for a houseful of overnight company, etc.  The really good news is that my Las Vegas son will be home for a few days.  That was unanticipated.  Usually airfare at Thanksgiving is outrageous, but a few weeks ago he stumbled upon a great deal.  My family is very small, so I cherish spending time with family members.  My brother and DSO will be missed.

Not much hooking has been going on, but did get the outside row hooked so I can start on the hit and miss background.  Ignore the oval line on the pattern.  I guess that was in case you wanted an oval rug.

I also changed one of the flowers.  I just wasn't happy with it.  

Before . . .

After . . .

I've also been working on a little cross stitch piece, but not much is done.

I just have to share what I bought.  I really don't have a good place for it but hopefully can squeeze it in the upstairs bath.  An antique bidet.  Not something I would normally buy, but for for $20 could not resist.  I am a sucker for a bargain :)

Porcelain bowl.  I'm amazed it survived for so many years.

Maker's mark.  I did a little research and this mark is from 1874-1909.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

This and Lots of That ~

While in Maryland at the retreat, Caroline took us to her log home.  Can you say WONDERFUL?  What a treat seeing the house and her wool studio.

Antietam battlefield is nearby, so she gave Melissa and me a tour.

The tree to the left of the bridge is called a witness tree ~ because it witnessed the battle.

Here's the rug I worked on at the retreat.  It is the one I started in Caroline's class at the beginning of October.  I had not pulled a loop since the class.  I had high hopes of finishing everything inside the red line and moving on to another rug.  HA!  Close but not quite.  I can't understand why I did not get more done.  Yes, there was lots of eating . . . and laughing . . . but I thought I was a faster hooker than that.

I just have a few more loops to pull before I can start working on the hit and miss.  I guess it is Molly approved.  Speaking of Molly . . .  she is a sweetie.  She has come out of her shell and is a bundle of energy.

This cracks me up.  She has just one long grey whisker.

Red sky in the morning . . . sailor take warning.  It's not often I see the sunrise, but this morning it was gorgeous.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

Maryland Retreat ~

Partner in crime Melissa and I headed 5+ hours to Maryland this past weekend for a hooking retreat with Caroline Twigg of Eagles Nest Woolens.  It was worth the drive.  We both had a fun time with lots of laughs, eating and even some hooking.

Here are some of the rugs being worked on.  I swear my phone "ate" some of the pictures and they can't be found and looking at the pictures I have, wish I had taken lots more.

Angie finished her rug, Carnival, based on a painting by David Galchutt.

Melissa finished her antique adaptation started in a class with Caroline in October.

Tanya was working on this antique adaptation started with Kris Miller at camp in Ocean City, MD.

Caroline started the same pattern but opted for a black sheep.

I want to be like Joanne when I grow up :)  This delightful octogenarian was working on an antique adaptation by Jan Cole of the Wool'n Gardener . . .

. . . and this rug started in a class with Kris Miller.

Lynn continued working on this pattern by Caroline.  Lynn hooks high using mostly 9 - 10 cuts.  It feels so good underfoot.

Nada brought her finished Sparhawk.  The picture does not do it justice.

I will share what little hooking I got done in my next post.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren

16.3# of Sweetness ~

Meet Amalia, aka Molly, my new foster through Ohio Pug Rescue.  An owner surrender, rescue has her listed at 9 years of age, though she may be younger.  Vet says she can be as young as seven.  (The owner did not remember how old she was.)  Poor girl has been through a lot in a few short days.  Left the only home she knew Sunday and spent the night at the vet office.  Spay and a dental (5 teeth removed) on Monday.  Spent the night with a volunteer in Columbus, taken the next morning to another volunteer's house and then picked up by yet another volunteer and brought north to me.  Whew!  She seems to be the sweetest girl ever.  The only sound I've heard from her was last night when I put her in a crate.  She was not a happy camper.  I brought the crate to my bedroom, spoke to her gently and she happily slept until almost 8am today.  Our only issue is that she has not yet pooped and I am guessing that is the effect of the anesthesia.  She is content sitting on my lap or sleeping in her bed.

Early Friday I am off once again, this time to a hooking retreat in Maryland with Caroline Twigg.  My timing is awful since I just got Molly, but dear DSO (I know I am being redundant) will take good care of her.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Breathing a Sigh of Relief ~

From Our Hands is now but a memory.  I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to vend so often this year.  For any of you who vend or have vended, you know it is a lot of work and stressful, especially when you make all your goods.  Vending is what allows me to buy wool, go to hook ins, retreats and camps, and to buy my antiques.  There is no vending scheduled for many months so now I can create for me.

Here are some pictures from the show.

Melissa's side of the booth.

And mine :)

Kathy Bonnes (a fellow hooker) ~ Good & Early Antiques

Lori Ann Corelis ~ The Spotted Hare

Rebekah L. Smith

Dean Hicks Antiques

Craig Yenke ~ C. Yenke Co.

Dan & Marlene Coble

Hooked rugs of Marilyn Willmore

Sorry ~ not sure of the names of these vendors

Of course, I could not come home empty handed.  My favorite purchases are my two vintage Santas.  The one on the left is marked Made in Japan.  The other is unmarked.

Please remember to honor our military tomorrow.  Thank a veteran.  Freedom isn't free.  God Bless America.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Pug hugs :)

Lauren