Craft day

I enjoyed hosting a spinning / craft day at my house yesterday. It was so fun to get together with a talented group of gals and spend the afternoon spinning and doing hand needle work.

Sweet daughter even joined us while working on art.

Michigan girl gave us a few tips on spinning and even taught a newbie to spindle.

Boggie visited in his spiffy Halloween vest and Wrigley enjoyed showing off his pumpkin costume. Wrigley was not quite sure what to do with Boggie.

It was nice to be able to get out some of my Halloween dishes.

I made 1.5 point brownie mini-cupcakes, spiced apple cider and sliced apples w/ aged cheddar.

zoom zoom

Here is dear son and his first car. He turns 16 November 8th and is very excited to get his license. It was really fun to see his joy when he saw his new (used) car.

Trick or Treat?

Wrigley and Annie waited for the kids to come-a-beggin' this year. Wrigley loved his costume!

Sweet daughter made a fairy costume, she looked awesome!

Senior Night

Senior night for marching band was last week. It was a real honor to escort sweet daughter on to the field at half-time while they read her bio.

We are very proud of her for making color guard captain. It is hard to believe marching band is over for the year. I shed a few tears when they did the final song.

Wrigley

In case you are wondering, Wrigley is still the world's cutest dog!

Crock Pot Caramel Apples

I have been preparing really healthy food for the past 2 months and attending weight watchers. Here is a great recipe for Crock Pot Caramel Apples it is only 1 point per serving. I topped with fat free whip topping and that brought the points up to 2.

For those of you that are unsure what the point stuff is all about, it a formula used to measure calories, fiber and fat in a recipe. This is low calorie, high fiber and 0 fat.

Fall gardening

I've been cleaning out beds, pulling up weeds and trying to tidy up a bit before the snow blankets my gardens.

I am also planting bulbs along my roses that line my front side walk.

Planting bulbs seem to be such a hopeful thing, a way to show patience (something I don't seem to have much of).

I planted grape hyacinth, Blue Siberian Squill and mixed crocus. Last year I planted bulbs too and some of them did not come up. I really paid close attention to the depth these bulbs are to be planted so I will find out next Spring if they are going to reward my patience.

Off and on my needles

Just started a baby hat for little CA great-nephew. I am knitting it in cotton so it will not be too hot for CA.

Finished the ruffle scarf that I made out of Noro that I bought in Door County. I love the way it turned out. I will make another ruffle scarf, easy and fun pattern!

where has the time gone?

It has been several weeks since my last post and it is amazing how fast the last month has gone by. We have been attending a LOT of football games and marching band competitions.

Dear son is number 1 when playing away games and number 80 for home games.

I wish I could take credit for the first few football pictures on this blog post. Dear Hubby's good IC friend came up to a game and took these pictures. He is an amazing photographer.

Besides high school football we were able to attend an ISU game this Fall. Dear hubby is an Iowa State alumni and it was so fun to attend the game. I won't go into the final score, that was the bad part.............

Sweet daughter is having a ball with color guard this year.

My sweet sister and brother-in-law came out one Friday night. It was really fun to have family in the stands with us. Dear son played at 5pm and sweet daughter marched with the band between games and at half time.

We volunteered at Bands Across the Prairie and we were able to host the Maquoketa band. The kids enjoyed seeing their cousin in the band.