This and That

Are you glad the election is over? I do not miss those dinner time phone calls or mud-slinging ads and I am sure there has been interesting news from around the world that we have missed due to the all-consuming election coverage. There does seem to be an air of optimism or hope now that Obama has been elected. I enjoyed reading his speech after McCain conceded the election. His comments indicated a desire to close the gap between Democrats and Republicans, hoping to unify the country as we tackle the problems facing the country. Enough about politics.

Here is a photo of what I've been doing when I got home from school the last 2 days-raking leaves. I rake (or blow) the leaves until it gets dark and then Jim gets home from work and hauls them away. We wanted to get as many leaves picked up as possible before the rains come this weekend and make for a heavier and less enjoyable job.
 

There are still a fair number of leaves on the trees, but I think about 75% are down. Here is a bright yellow leaf display from our backyard. I will be raking up those leaves in the next few days!

I've started 2 new knitting projects. The first is a sweater for Jim using some yarn that I bought at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival 2 years ago. The pattern is a very simple seed or moss stitch. I've done about 13 inches of the back so far. I've also started a scarf for me. I'm using some gorgeous yarn that I bought this past spring when Jim and I were biking on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The yarn is a hand-dyed rayon of deep blues and purples. I am doing a wide rib pattern and it has such a lovely drape and rich coloring. 

No growth to report on my amaryllis bulbs. Stay tuned.

So far this week I have made 5 Grape Pies. I made two for the youth bell choir baked food sale at church on Tuesday and then tonight I made 3 more to take to school tomorrow. At my school we have a tradition of Friday treats with different groups of staff bringing in food on Friday mornings. Tomorrow is my group's turn and my grape pies are always a big hit. Don't worry, Corey, there are still a good number of grape pie fillings in the freezer. 

So, Susan L. is off of Dancing with the Stars. Brooke and Derek continue to dazzle us with their performances.

Jim came home from work yesterday and announced that he had spent four hours at a workshop called "Count Me In," a sensitivity training program for all of the employees in his company. He claims to have learned about the importance of tone of voice, body language and how to be an active listener. We'll see! (Edited after Jim did his proofreading-Jim claims to have been taught, not necessarily learned those above things!)

Tomorrow my school is having a Happy Hour at a local restaurant/bar. Jim will meet me there and then we will have dinner. Should be fun.

Hope all is well. 

Vote

Go Vote!

Sunday Wrap-Up

It was a beautiful fall day here in western New York. Hope it was a good day wherever you are.

In yesterday's entry, I forgot to tell you about the big cabbage we bought. Sounds like earth shattering news, huh? Well, when we were driving to Marcus Whitman High School, we passed several cabbage patches that were being harvested and right by these fields were vegetable stands selling freshly harvested cabbages. So on our way home, we stopped (barely, Jim had the clock on me while I jumped from the car and made the purchase!) at one of these stands. I bought an 8 pound purple cabbage for $1.oo! Such a good deal! I will share it with Gram, Grandma, and Sally. I enjoy having fresh purple cabbage in my green salad at dinner, so this will last me for a while. Here is a photo of the cabbage and me in my Rhinebeck sweater. Their colors coordinate beautifully with each other!

Tucker sent us photos from his Halloween festivities. He carved pumpkins.

And attended a costume party with his friend Natalie.
Thanks for the photos Tucker.

We had a longer than usual time at church today as it was Commitment Sunday. I had to be there early because my bell choir was ringing and then we stayed for a brunch after the service. The bell choir rang along with the organ for the opening hymn and then accompanied the choir with the organ for an anthem. The bell ringing went fairly well, but Jim says that the organ and choir kind of drowned out the bell ringing at times. Oh, well it sounded good from our perspective. There were more people at the one service today than I have seen in a very long time. I am very much in favor of changing our worship schedule from 2 services at 8:45 and 11:00 AM to one service at 10:00 AM. It seems like it would be a better use of our church's resources and build a stronger sense of community among the worshippers.

Jim got lots of leaves raked up and part of the back yard mowed this afternoon. Sally came over to use my swift and ball winder on the skeins of yarn that she bought at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. 

I've decided that even though I was disappointed with my moebius scarf, it is very functional. I have worn it doubled around my neck all afternoon and it was very comfortable and cozy. And as Jim points out, I don't have to look at it if it is around my neck!

I don't know if I will do an entry tomorrow, so I will take this chance to remind you to do your civic duty and vote. Our voting location has changed, so check where you are to vote and then go do it on Tuesday.

Hope all is well.