New routines

It's back to school time, and that means trying to establish new routines. There's so much I want to accomplish every day, and I know that I won't always reach my goals. Still, I'll keep trying!

My daughters and I have a walking challenge going on. We try to walk at least 10,000 steps each day. It doesn't always happen, but it's great fun to encourage each other to get it done!

My Ice Drop stash is seriously low, so I'm going to set my sights on tatting one Ice Drop each day. I have other things I want to accomplish, so I think I'll be sticking to the basic pattern for a while. I need to have Ice Drops to pass out at Christmas!

I also want to work on projects that I have waiting to be finished. I started this shawl for granddaughter Sophia in June. I looked at it several times while Joanne and the kids were here over the past two weeks. They just left on Sunday, and I finished it this morning. Sophia could have taken it home with her if I'd just picked it up and worked on it a little each day. Oh, well... I guess a surprise package will be in the mail!

I have quite a stash of beautiful hand-dyed thread. So, I've decided it's time to start using it on projects that have been on my to-do list. A while back I tatted a small square doily with Mary Konior's Eightsome Reel pattern. It was a test to see if the measurements would work out for a mantle runner for my sister-in-law. When I saw Marilee Rockley's Lantana Citrus, I thought of Eightsome Reel right away. Just think, if I manage to tat one motif each day, it will only take nine days to complete my little doily!

Too quiet

Joanne and the kids went to visit my sister-in-law for a couple of days, and it is way too quiet around here!

The photos keep coming from daughter Carol's European trip.

I know these pictures are from Florence and Rome, but I don't know where they are. It sure will be fun to find out!

I sure wish I had the stamina to participate in a trip like this. One day they walked over 12 miles. I'm worn out just thinking about walking that far!

I finished another red, white, and blue Ice Drop for my cousin Nancy.

This is the group of five that I mailed off to her today. I'm very pleased with the way they turned out!

I started another coral dishcloth this morning. I've already put the first one to use, and I really like this yarn for dishcloths.

I also started another shawl. Now that Kara has one, Sophia needs to have one, too!

Red, white, and blue

My cousin Nancy visited my mom last weekend, and Mom shared some Ice Drops with her.

Nancy emailed me to thank me for sharing. I love sharing my Ice Drops!

I told Nancy I'd be happy to make some more for her, and she asked if I could do some with a red, white, and blue theme.

Nancy only asked for three, but I think I'll do some more. They look so bright and cheerful!

Joanne finished her shawl, and Sophia cheerfully modeled it for us.

I finished a mini shawl for Kara, and I've started one for Sophia. Doesn't every little girl need a shawl?

Some of my dishcloths were in pretty sad shape, so it was time to knit some new ones. I started the blue dishcloth quite a while ago, but I didn't feel any urgency to finish it until this week... after I finished to coral one!

The kids love playing games on Papa's iPad. I have the same games on my iPad, but when Papa's around, Grandma's iPad is not worth anything!

We get pictures from daughter Carol's trip on a regular basis. I'm not sure what everything is, but I'm sure I'll learn all about the trip when they return.

The group spent three days in London, three days in Paris, and then headed to Florence by train.

Carol loved the changing of the guard at Buckinham Palace, and she said they got to see Prince Charles and Camilla.

I'm not sure how long they'll be in Florence. They will head to Rome next, and then they'll be home on Thursday. It's been a whirlwind trip for them, and I'm sure it's been memorable as well!