Camp Hoodie - almost done

The camp hoodie has been done for a couple of weeks, but could not locate a separating zipper in the length and color needed, so I had to custom order it from Custom Zips.  Obviously, the zipper has not arrived, but here is a peek at the otherwise completed hoodie.  I really love it!  I planned this as alternate outerwear for my walks.  I am now looking forward to having winter return to North Texas.   I promise more pix when it has a zipper.   By the way, I used Spud and Chloe's colorways Chipmunk and Watermelon. 

The kangaroo pocket came out great!  I used the Wonderful Wallaby pattern as my inspiration for the pocket -- splitting it down the middle, of course.  Husker is suitably impressed with this project. 

New Year's Eve

Don't know about yours, but our New Year's Eve was tops.  We started off going to Grace, the restaurant owned by Husker's son, Adam, for a glass of wine and to wish Adam and his beautiful wife, Caroline, a Happy New Year.  This was to be a short stop only because we were spending the midnight hour at Billy Bob's, World's Biggest Honky Tonk.  Husker's baby boy, Jon, is the bass guitarist for the Eli Young Band, the entertainment for the evening at Billy Bob's. 

Adam was happy to inform us that he was sold out for New Year's Eve, and that son, Jon, and fiancé, Sarah, were in the dining room.  So we had a chance to visit with both of Husker's sons and their beautiful ladies before going on to Billy Bob's to see Jon and the boys play. 

Upon arriving at Billy Bob's, we picked up our complimentary tickets and backstage passes, and learned that they were likewise sold out (that means 6,000 tickets).  For a bar/honky tonk, that is a lot of people.  The green room walls are lined with the logos and signatures of lots of big names.  It is humbling and amazing for Husker to see the band's logo on the wall alongside Willie, Loretta, LeAnn, and so so many others.  Husker thinks it is a very nice payback for all those music lessons, violins and guitars.  We also have another tie to a logo on the green room wall at Billy Bob's.  My nephew, Kerry, is the bass player for the Deryl Dodd Band. 

The crowd was amazing.  They knew the words to all their songs and sang along.  Mike Eli, the lead singer, always acknowledges to the audience their contribution to the band's success.  I think recognizing the audience's ownership of Eli Young is part of the key to their loyal following.  Some pretty good songs don't hurt either!  Check out Jet Black and Jealous, their last CD.  The next CD is imminent, and they sang the number that they expect to be their next hit, Crazy Girl.  Stay tuned.

Jon and Sarah's mothers were there, too.  Sarah is the aunt of Zach, for whom I knitted the Wonderful Wallaby.  Sarah's mom, Sue, said the sweater fit, he liked it, and pix would be forthcoming.  Until then, I am attaching a shot of the finished product.  You didn't think that I would NOT have something knit-wise in this, did you!  Happy New Year and many beautiful projects. 

Jones Family Christmas

The North Texas Joneses go their different ways for  Christmas, but we have our own get-together ahead of time.  Last night was the time, and Jon and Sarah's was the place.  We started a tradition of having a Chinese auction/white elephant type of gift exchange.  This usually results in some really interesting gifts (what is it?) to "stealing" someone else's gift until it is officially dead.  We eat too much, drink too much, and have a fun evening with family.  

Even the dogs get into the act. 

Then the official day of Christmas rolls around and everyone goes to their significant other's family home.  Adam and Caroline will go to her parents' home, Jon, Sarah, Cavaliers Jemma, and Kingston are going to her brother's home, we will go to my son's home, and Barbara, Jennie, and schnauzer Sydney,  have their own plans for the big day. 

Jon and Sarah will deliver Zach's Wallaby to him.  So it results that Zach will, indeed, get the promised sweater by Christmas after all.

Zach's Wonderful Wallaby

During our Thanksgiving festivities, I met Master Zach Guinn, a charming 4-yo.  He was interested in my knitting.  He finally asked if I could make him a sweater -- and a hat -- and gloves.  I promised that I would try to have him a sweater -- and a hat -- and gloves -- by about Christmas.

After thinking about it, I realized that a Wonderful Wallaby would be just the thing.  The hood and kangaroo pocket would complete the requested items.  The Wallaby is about 4" from completion of the hood.  I am pleased with the project, and I hope that Zach will like it, too.  I am sending him an email today to show him a photo of the Wallaby to-date and let him know that the sweater will probably be there the week following Christmas. 

In addition, I am going to ask his Mommy to supply us with some photos of him with the Wallaby on.  That would make a very nice post.

Merry Christmas to everyone!