Publicity

Interested in seeing some of the things that happen around here? This is the trailer for the show that opens tonight at SCCT. If you live in or plan on being in the State College area in the next two weeks, stop by and get your tickets!

Father Bun's Surprise Party

Last week, my father-in-law (who is affectionately called Bun, or Father Bun, for reasons that are too complicated to explain now) turned 60.  We had a surprise party for him last weekend.  Let me tell you, that was no easy feat.

My poor SIL Rose spend all day Friday cooking. And hiding all the dishes she was cooking every time Father Bun came down the driveway -- 14 times! The man has the shortest attention span of anyone on earth and had the day off. So he drove down to their house just to see what was going on.  She thought for sure he knew something was up and was trying to catch her in the act.

On Saturday, the day of the party, BIL and SIL came over and suggested we all go to the lake to cool off (it turned out to be one scorcher of a day!) 

"Come on, Bun, get your shorts on, let's go for a dip."

"No, it's too hot. I don't want to go."

Who knows why man thinks what he thinks.

Ten minutes before we got back, he had taken off on the 4-wheeler for parts unknown.

The party started at 4:00. People arrived, appetizers were served, the birthday boy was nowhere to be found. We figured we'd just have the party and tell him what a great time we had without him. 

Finally, at 4:30, MIL called. He was home. She was going to have him take a shower and go over.

4:45. He won't shower. He won't go over. Someone has to come and get him.

BIL and a friend went over on their 4-wheeler to go and pick him up.

He was quite surprised to see all those people there for him. Yes, that is a happy, surprised look on his face. That's about as much as Father Bun is able to emote.

Vacation Update

The second stop on our (recently named) New England Vacation Adventure (NEVA) was New Hampshire. We're staying with my friend Wina and her Gardiner Boy™.  We had loads of fun and got to visit nearly all of our friends while we were there.  It nearly required a crowbar, however, to tear me away from Wina when it was time to go. The only way The Boy™ was able to get me in the truck was that we were on our way to see Talented Actress Friend and her Gorgeous Daughter and we were heading up to see his folks afterward. We still have another week before we return to Pennsyltucky!

While we were with Wina, we went to the beach! The day we went, it was cool and overcast, which was fine. It meant we didn't have to fight off tourists! 

 

I miss having a beach where we are in Pennsyltucky. No shores in a landlocked state. 

(The Boy™ checks out the water. Too cold for me!)

(Wina smiles for the camera.)

After stopping at the candy store for chocolates and their famous salt water taffy for the In-Laws, we went over to the lighthouse for a little while.  

(This is about as close a shot as I can get with this camera.)

You can't actually get to the island that the lighthouse is on, as a tourist. There is a boat, and a little lift to get the lighthouse-keeper to the island. I think that would be an awesome job, if you were, say, running from the mob. Or hiding from a crazy ex-wife. Or interesting in pursuing a career as a hermit.  A bit too much solitude for me, however. 

After visiting the lighthouse, we scurried off home for a shower and a change of close before heading off to dinner with Gare-Bear and his Lovely Wife.  I was very happy to see them, since we missed them when we came up for Christmas.

I'm trying not to jinx myself, but am hoping very much to be able to move back here next year.  Let's keep our fingers crossed, eh?

CB's First Birthday!

The Boy™ and I are at Mom's this weekend to kick off our vacation week (more on that later) and to celebrate Nephew's first birthday. I can't believe that baby is a year old already! 

His party was on Saturday. It was a big success.

He had his first taste of real sugar - birthday cake! It was a big hit.  He took the entire piece and shoved it against his face and just sucked on it while we all laughed and laughed. He just looked at us as if to say "What? What are you laughing at?"

Mmmm ... Cake ...

Whatchoo lookin' at, Auntie?

Afterward, The Boy™ and I went over to Sister's and watched Nephew open his presents.  As is usual with babies, he liked the wrapping paper and the ribbons more that the presents themselves.

Crap! Are these all for me?!

Enough with the camera, Auntie. I'm busy with my presents.

The lion towel from Auntie and Uncle was a good choice, judging from the smile on that face.

Tomorrow, we're off to Wina's house in NH. We're staying there for a couple of days to visit with friends we haven't seen since Christmas, then we're off to ME to stay with The Boy™'s family to celebrate FIL's 60th birthday. I'm really looking forward to the trip - seeing everyone, AND the time away from Pennsyltucky. 

Stuff I've Been Working On

I took my awesome new camera to the Barn today, borrowed the dress form from the costume shop and took some pictures of recently finished knitted projects (and one Work in Progress.)

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This pattern is called The Three Hour Sweater. I don't know in whose world it takes three hours to knit. Not in mine. It took closer to three days (with nearly non-stop knitting in my free time.)  I made one for Aunt Beebe too. I think they both came out pretty good.

This cardigan is a combination of a couple of patterns. I am very satisfied with the finished product. It was super easy to knit and the yarn is very soft. I call it the Celery Cardi (because of the shade of green.)

This sock is a work in progress (as I'm sure you can tell.) It's a traditional gansey pattern. If I have the patience for it, my intention is to knit it up to the knee in the gansey pattern (that you can see going on the toe there) and then do four or so inches of ribbing up over the thigh.

The yarn is soft and very thick. These are going to make great knee-highs for the winter. It'll probably take me that long to finish them!