Kidcentric Day at the Landsdowne Farmer's Market

Moose took his parents and me to the Landsdowne Farmer's Market today for a special visit. There were all kinds of attractions there today that were special just for kids.

The Delco Bird Club brought their feathered friends for us to hold and pet. This Green Wing Macaw was a therapy bird so he was very friendly to us. His size was a little intimidating so Moose decided he would be more than happy to let me hold him.

Pammie the Cockatoo waved hello...

and flirted with us so we would come over and say hi.

Moose was making sure that Daddy Phil kept Pammie at arm's length, just to be safe.

Mommy Amanda had a little conversation with her too.

Moose found the hoola hoops quite entertaining.

But the best fun on such a hot morning was the "Wet Tent". Even Mommy got in on the cold water fun!

It isn't called the "Wet Tent" for nothing.

Winged Wonders was a net tent filled with Monarch butterflies. Moose had a ball. It was one of those rare moments when he is so fascinated by his surroundings that we could have stayed all day.

Notice the guide's "living earring".

Moose made sure he got a close look. His comment was "These are sooooo cool!"

The Q-tips and cotton balls were dipped in Gatorade so the kids could feed the butterflies.

Moose really enjoyed inspecting them too.

They really were pretty even if I'm terrified of them, thanks to a nightmare when I was five years old! LOL!

Ridley Creek was the name of the guest musicians this week and they graciously allowed Moose a short solo.

Moose enjoyed saying thank you with his tip.

It was a great day which was topped off by a visit with McGruff the Crime Dog.

It was over all too soon but we brought home lots of good fresh food. Oh yes! We'll be sure to enjoy John's homemade mushroom soup tonight!

Knitting and the Farmers' Market

Sheila started her Pelerine shoulder warmer this week with Barbara's expert guidance. Since Sheila finished her scarf last week she has decided it was time to learn some new knitting techniques, so she is mastering the yarnover increases in this new project.

Kathleen finished two projects since last week. The first one is one of my favorites since it is a quick knit but looks complicated. It is from the Leisure Arts brochure "Knit Lace and Leaves for Baby".
This second set is from the same pattern book. The patterns offer two style hats and matching blankets to coordinate with the sweaters.
Barbara finished her Pelerine with a professional looking crocheted edge. All it needs is an I-cord tie at the neck.

Last Saturday I visited my daughter to help out at the Landsdowne Farmers' Market. Twice a season the farmers' market gives up and coming artisans a chance to set up shop and show off their talents. We set up the table at 8AM when the temperatures were still a little nippy. Luckily, Amanda had the beautiful prayer shawl that my knitting friends knitted for her after we lost Eliana Marie.

http://chickswithsticksofglenmontny.blogspot.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

We waited for customers to show up...

and finally they started pouring in.

Amanda did well for a first time adventure. She was able to show off her talents for portrait photography as well as her designing, sewing and knitting skills.

To get a more detailed look at some of her items you can check out her Etsy shop at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/fashiondeeva

She will have many more items posted in the near future. Moose is taking priority at the moment, as he should! Can't wait for Halloween!

A Treat for a Dreary Day

It was so rainy and gloomy here in the Northeast this morning, I thought I would start today's entry with a glimpse of some pretty blossoms. My dendrobium orchid is in full bloom in my family room.

The colors are so vivid is almost seems to glow from the center out. But now on to some knitting...
Maureen finished the pink and white baby sweater. The edges are all finished with a delicate picot stitch. It looks so cute!
Kathleen got a new knitting pattern book and has already finished one of the sweaters from it. She's making a matching bonnet to go with it this week.

Barb is hard at work on her Pelerine. Getting close to finishing! And Sheila is putting the last few bind off stitches on her scarf.

There! All done! And it looks great!

If you are anywhere near Landsdowne, Pennsylvania this Saturday, Oct. 23 make some time between 9AM and 1PM to stop by the Farmer's Market next door to the PNC Bank. My daughter will be selling her original designs of hand knitted items and some sweet little sewn ballerina tutus that she makes. While you're there you can stop for some homemade hot soup and cider. It promises to be a fun day!

A Weekend Visit With Moose

My daughter called and asked if we could join the family at the dentist's office so Moose could have a filling. She asked if I specifically would accompany him in the operatory so he would feel more confident. My experience as a dental assistant and oral surgeon's assistant seemed to make me the natural choice. But Moose decided Poppop would be the one to sit with him through the procedure. I think Poppop was a bit terrified but he didn't let it show and didn't want to disappoint Moose so off they went hand in hand to see his dentist. I snuck in to see how things were going only to see AND HEAR Moose yelling to the dentist and her assistants "Take your hands off me, YOU POOPS!!!" Poppop said they strapped him to the papoose board and gave him some nitrous to subdue him before they gave him the local. But he managed to get an arm loose and smacked the dentist right in the kisser! Dr. Rosentrater, wherever you are, YOU ARE A SAINT!!! When all was finished and they came back to the waiting room we asked how it went. Poppop said, "In spite of the hitting, spitting, biting, screaming, and flailing, it went quite well!" We were all laughing so hard to see Moose with his little cotton roll sticking out of his mouth like a cigar that we almost missed getting the photo. Well, here's the picture and if you ask Moose, it wasn't so bad afterall! Kids! That's why we get grey hair!!!

Woody was a bribe to get him to go in the first place but he couldn't open the gift until after his work was done.

Saturday morning we all got up bright and early so Moose could take us all to his Farmer's Market. He introduced me to Miss Betsy who always saves him a brownie. She's his favorite person there. Oh, and that's Amanda's pregnant belly blocking the left side of the shot. The doctor said she is due July 31 but she seems to have dropped over the weekend. We'll see.....
It sure is a good brownie.
And what goes better with a brownie than homemade apple cider? Moose knows how to get his own sample.

He made a new friend at the market too. The dog's owner was sure Moose would be afraid of such a large dog until we explained the encounter Moose already had with Mrs. Hiller's St. Bernard a few weeks back.

http://chickswithsticksofglenmontny.blogspot.com/2010/05/long-visit-with-moose-and-chicks.html

Saturday afternoon Moose went to his first swimming lesson alone. Up until now Mommy always accompanied him into the pool and assisted the swim coach. But now he's old enough to go by himself.

He was so anxious to get into the water! And he had a ball!

After swimming and lunch we took Moose and Woody to see "Toy Story 3". We thought some parts of it were a little too scary for a three year old but afterward Moose told me it was the best movie EVER! When he called me today he said he "loveded" it!

I think Woody is Moose's new best friend.

The Cummington Sheep and Wool Festival and Catching Up With the Chicks

Memorial Day weekend there was a gathering in Cummington, Massachusetts of some of the most beautiful fibers and animals. It was the Cummington Sheep and Wool Festival. Not on the same scale as the Rhinebeck festival in the fall, this festival was so cute, with many of the same attractions. There was the sheep dog trials, the showing of the animals, and my absolute favorite, delicious sausage grinders smothered in onions and peppers! The weather was sunny and warm, just right for a day in the country.

There were angora rabbits everywhere I turned and this cute little guy was busily munching on some grass while everyone passing by stopped to run their fingers through his soft, fuzzy fur.

I couldn't resist these baby bunnies, knowing full well I'd be risking a full blown sneezing attack.

Because it was such a warm day, the sheep took full advantage of the small spot of shade to take a well deserved nap after their showing.

I'll bet this beauty is relieved to be rid of that thick curly coat.

This Tuesday the weather was cooperating long enough for us to squeeze our two hours of knitting outdoors. Elaine and Kathleen caught up on knitting projects and grandchildren.

Kathleen finished the baby sweater I showed you last week.

Notice the sweet eyelet design. The pattern was free at

http://www.woolworks.org/patterns/5-hour.txt

Sheila is about halfway through her checkerboard pattern scarf.

And Barbara is almost halfway through the diagonal baby blanket. The yarn she is using is so soft and fluffy that we can all envision this becoming someone's favorite "blankie".

I finished an Elizabeth Zimmermann design called "Pellerine". It was made using Red Heart No Dye Lot acrylic so the nursing home can run it through the hot wash without damaging it. The original design was sewn up 2/3 of the front but I left it open and will look for a jazzy button for the neckline to make it easier to wear.

We'll be checking out Maureen's knitting history this week. She is an accountant so knitting is right up her alley with all it's mathematical properties.

Interviewer: At what age did you learn to knit?

Maureen: I was 7 or 8 when a neighbor taught me to crochet scarves and ponchos. Ironically, I taught my mother how to knit. In 1983, right before I got married, some of my friends from work and I learned how to knit at the same time. I made a sweater and the other two made a blanket and a pair of pants. I didn't knit again until I joined the Chicks in 2005.

Interviewer: Who taught you to knit?

Maureen: My late mother-in-law, Grace Cagino taught me how to knit, as well as crochet.

Interviewer: What was the first item you completed and for whom did you make it?

Maureen: I made a baby sweater for a girl who worked for me.

Interviewer: What was your favorite item knitted?

Maureen: I loved making the Chulo hats from the Berroco site. I made one to send to my daughter who was attending school in Buffalo where she needed warm winter clothing. She loves it!

Interviewer: What was your most challenging project?

Maureen: The baby surprise jacket was the most challenging because I couldn't visualize it while it was being knitted. It was always kind of a puzzle.

Interviewer: What took you the longest to knit?

Maureen: The lap blankets that I made for the VA hospital donation took at least a couple of months.

Interviewer: What do you like to knit now?

Maureen: I love making baby things. The yarns are so soft and they go together quickly.

Interviewer: What is your favorite fiber to knit?

Maureen: I love the soft baby yarns the best, especially the washable blended fibers.

Interviewer: Where is your favorite place to knit?

Maureen: In my family room, in front of a warm fire in the winter.

Interviewer: Where is the most unusual place you ever knitted?

Maureen: Just on a car ride....obviously not while driving!!!

Next week we'll take a peek into the knitting life of another Chick, but for now just keep those needles clicking!