When we made plans for our trip hubby and I discussed the fact that neither one of us likes to be away from home for any length of time.  We knew that being gone for 30 days was really stretching it, but we were confident we could do it.  This week, as we were planning our trip, I began to feel homesick already.  And we haven't even left!  But I'm sure we can do this.  We'll see lots of wonderful places and visit with some wonderful people.  But I do know that when we return I will be ecstatic.  I'm hoping Maggie will not forget us and decide that living with Ben and Abby is way more fun!

I've pretty much packed most of my projects.  On deck is lots of lace, a couple of skeins of sock yarn (just in case) and fiber for spinning.  My Spindolyn has been shipped and should arrive Monday.  That will give me just enough time for a little preliminary practice to determine what fiber to take with me.

This week I've been concentrating on quilting.  The quilts for the girls have been languishing and I decided I'd better get cracking on them while they're still young enough to enjoy the juvenile theme.  Here are some recently completed blocks:

I thought I was being oh-so-clever on the bear blocks by digitizing the flowers and embroidering them on my machine.  After all, I did the same with the faces and they came out great.  It was a good idea until I got the first block all embroidered and started searching for the second one.  I couldn't find it anywhere.  Imagine my horror when I realized I had stacked the blocks when I did the embroidery!  Do you know how hard it is to unpick densely sewn embroidery stitches without tearing the fabric??  Thank goodness I was able to "un-sew" without damaging the blocks and all was saved.  I do think it's time to quit for the evening, though.

The Aeolian shawl is progressing nicely, but is now at the point where it resembles an amorphous blob.  I do love this pattern and am already planning another one with beads.  The Cambridge Jacket is coming along nicely too, but not much to show – just more of the same, only longer.

I have been musing this week on how very blessed I am.  I often read on Ravelry of women who want to spin, but can't afford even a modest spindle and make do with dowels and CD's or other home-made tools.  I am so thankful that I have all the wonderful tools I do – lots of yarn and needles, a beautiful spinning wheel and a spindle on the way, a top of the line sewing machine and the software to make it do what I want it to do.  And now, as icing on the cake, I have a comfortable retirement with time to enjoy all of it and a husband who supports my crafts.  And two beautiful granddaughters to sew and knit for.  Thank you God!