Well...

I know you are all (and by "all" I mean the two of you who read this) (Hi Mom) on the edges of your proverbial seats wondering if there was any knitting this weekend.  You'll get your answer, but first...

We started the weekend with a trip to the Farmer's Market for breakfast at the deli.  We brought the wagon so we could carry home these herbs, which I planted in my new boxes and greatly increased the happiness factor of the back patio.

There is even an orange owl:

Daphne did a little gardening too.  She planted some tomato and pepper plants.

While we were at the Farmer's Market, we were talking to a lady vendor who spins yarn.  It was beautiful natural brownish wool - super soft for sheep's wool - and Daphne was begging for some, and asking me when I was going to teach her to knit.  So, we started with a little finger-knitting on Saturday afternoon:

She picked it up pretty quickly and made herself a cute necklace which she hasn't taken off since, except to sleep.

Meanwhile, Kev and I took a little bike excursion to the winery down the trail while Daphne played with a friend.  It was an excellent day to ride our bikes and sit outside.  (I was reminded that the last time we rode our bikes to the winery was last year, the day before my eye went all crazy.  I'm happy to report that things are almost completely back to normal on that front. Hooray for Dr. Melamud!)

We picked up food from Melt for dinner and ate outside in the back yard.  Except for the early appearance of the Virginia Gnats (horrible evil pests), it was perfect.

But there was no knitting on Saturday.

This morning, I was determined.  But first, I had to go to Wegmans.  And then, I had to take Daphne to help deliver Girl Scout cookies to the animal shelter.  And then, when I finally sat down to knit, I had to Phone a Friend to help me with the pattern.  Then, Daphne had a lot of questions, so I decided to attempt to teach her to cast on.  And much to my amazement, she got the hang of it right away!

Look at my little girl!  Knitting!  Well, almost...

(Note the finger-knit necklace she made yesterday around her neck.  She's planning to wear it to school tomorrow.)

When I finally started knitting, I struggled.  I had to start my second sleeve over three times.  Kev is awesome because he sensed my frustration, and knowing life is better for everyone when I have my groove, he offered to make dinner so I could get a few rounds under my belt.  Hooray for Kev!  And dinner was great!

I made some progress, although I somehow messed up my rib in a couple of spots, but the bottom line is, I KNITTED THIS WEEKEND!  I can now face the upcoming (crazy busy) week with confidence.  This week will be the opposite of slow, but as long as nobody gets sick, we will get though it.

Speaking of sick, my brother has pneumonia AND the flu, and was so dehydrated he ended up at the hospital today!  Fortunately, he is home now and doing better, but good grief!  Scary stuff. So glad he is OK.

Daphne, still wearing her necklace, helped with dinner.  She asked if she could make a "Daphne Sample," which turned out to be baby spinach with toasted pine nuts and lime juice.  It was great, and she was proud.  I think Daphne is getting her groove back too.

Here's the beginning of sleeve number two.  It isn't much, but it's a start.  I am going to finish this sweater before the fall. 

I am. 

Really.