Yesterday, just at dusk, I was coming home from the post office. As I got to the back door, I heard a crashing noise at the edge of the woods near the house. Just where my neighbor’s back yard meets mine, there were no less than seven young deer jumping around. I stuck my head inside and said, “Emily! Come quick! There are deer in the yard!” My husband held our daughter up so she could see, and she said, “There really ARE deer! I’ve never seen that before!” I tried to snap a pic, but they were so far away and so well camoflauged that you can’t make them out. It was neat to see them bounding around with their white tails flashing. They retreated back into the woods and we went inside, where I made excited calls to my parents. I’m not sure I believe my father’s claim that he arranged the whole spectacle for my birthday, but thanks anyway, Dad!
I had a lovely morning. I went out to the Original Pancake House where I got crepe shells with lemon and butter, along with bacon, orange juice, and coffee. The tab was picked up by my in-laws, who graciously sent me the gift that keeps on giving – cash – with instructions to spend it on myself. Done and done! There’s more to spend, but it’s a start! I sat and read The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson. Perhaps a book about a cholera epidemic in 19th century London isn’t exactly traditional breakfast reading, but I enjoyed it. And it did have a pretty pink bookmarker in it which was a very sweet gift from an aunt, so that perks it up, right?
In knitting news, I’m about to ship off the hat at right to a friend’s grandchild. This is Sock Monkey from Knitty by Sheryl Lange. It’s stretched out on the mannequin head, it’s more kid-sized in reality. It’s for a baby, but I like to knit at least toddler-sized, because they outgrow things so quickly. By the time next winter rolls around it might fit. I found the pattern to work up a little small, but then, I was also intentionally trying to make it smaller, so I probably exacerbated any tendencies the pattern might have. This was worked on size 9’s instead of the recommended 10’s, because of yarn substitutions. I also modified the ears to be garter stitch instead of stockinette, since the stockinette curled in more than I personally liked.
I didn’t have the recommended yarn, and didn’t want it as bulky since it was for a smaller head, so instead I paired up Knitpicks Shamrock in Fitzpatrick with a strand of the sock yarn pictured which I’ve already forgotten the name of. Schurwolle, maybe? It’s a Swiss (I think) yarn in an apparently discontinued colorway. 
I found it in Huntersville, where they only had one skein left. Not enough for a pair of socks, but perfect for my needs. The white and red are Galway, and the black is Cascade 220. I didn’t have any black multi-ply yarn for the eyes and nose, but prostiturtle had several yards left which she graciously donated. Thanks, turtlegirl!
My green socks are ready for me to bind off the toe of number two. I’ll probably do that tonight, if I can squeeze it in. We’re not doing anything fancy for my birthday tonight, as a dear friend of the hubby’s whom he hasn’t seen in years is in town, and they’re going out. Fortunately, I am not a high-maintainence person, and I don’t have a problem with him going out. More to the point, if I did have a problem with it, I would definitely tell him, he would listen and adjust his plans, and we would make other arrangements. We’re not big into drama and head games here. My only issue is trying not to stress because someone’s coming over and the house is a sty.
At any rate, while they go out, I will spend a fun-packed evening stamping Jayne hat boxes and writing notes from Ma Cobb. I did check out “Suddenly Last Summer” with Elizabeth Taylor from the library, and I am planning on watching that while eating something really horrible for me. I’m thinking maybe fast food Chinese. Ahhhh… MSGlicious!
I hope you all have a wonderful day. So far, I’m having a great time of it!
Hats up for: MI, NY, PA.
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