TaeKwonDo Demo

For Tom and Sam's second degree black belt project, they decided to organize our school's participation at the Headrest Action Fair. They had an information booth about their TaeKwonDo school and did two demos. it went really well!

This is Steve, Hugh, Tom, and Sam setting up the booth:


Tom and Jack warming up. Thanks to Jack's mom for working the booth as well!



Sam and Sawyer, both of whom are black belts "warming up" Alex. I'm amazed Alex didn't keel over!


This is Henry being Henry - such a cutie! Thanks to Henry's dad for manning the booth as well.


Here's a picture of the whole group during the demo, doing kiban. From left to right starting with the front row - Tom, Sam, Sawyer, Alex, Marwan. Back row: Derek, Owen, Jonas, Henry and Jack.


The younger belts doing their kiban - Owen, Jonas, Henry, and Jack


Black belt poomse (forms) - Tom, Sam, Sawyer. Sawyer is a poom (under 13) black belt so his belt is black and red. That will change to all-black when he turns 13 next year.


Paddle drills are so much fun!


Breaking is fun and impressive!


Tom demonstrating his sword kiban


Here's a group shot - front row is Owen, Jonas, Marwan, Alex, Henry, and Jack; back row is Derek, Sawyer, Mr. Hopkins, Sam, and Tom.


A special thanks to Mr. Emerson and Ms. Fearon for coming and helping with the table and taking pictures. And of course to Uncle Steve (Mr. Hopkins) for help from beginning to end.

It was a fun day...

November projects

I've been busy this month with projects - as usual. I've been working on holiday presents and others.

I LOVE these candy cane socks! It's a free pattern called Ruggles Candy Cane Socks. They are working up fast as it's knit with DK yarn on larger needles. The yarn is Plymouth Encore DK - it's very soft and the socks will be nice and toasty warm!


I'm making this dressy scarf for the boys' audiologist, the wonderful Stella. It's pretty hard to say how much we appreciate all she does for us.


The Green Monster socks are finally finished! I started these in - yup! - October as a knitalong (KAL) with others to cheer on the Boston Red Sox. Our good juju obviously is what made the difference. I made these socks for my favorite 13 year old Red Sox fan - Sam. The pattern is Jaywalkers by Grumperina. I used Opal Prisma yarn on 2.25 mm needles. The trick to successful fitting Jaywalkers is to make them bigger than you'd think necessary. I made the larger size and they fit Sam quite well - they're not too tight at the heel.


The October SOTM club offering is this lovely sock - A Little Twisted Sock. The yarn is Soft Sea Wool by Reynolds. It's a thicker yarn as well and is making up nicely. It should be a warm pair of socks!


I finished a scarf for my partner in crime at work, Nicole. She wanted it in Panda wool but since I'd be knitting a scarf in fingering yarn until the next century, I found the colors that (I hope) she likes and made them into this scarf. The pattern is Nana's 91st Birthday Scarf - it was a really easy, fun pattern to knit.


Lastly, I'm making felted clogs (it's a Fibertrends pattern by Bev Galaskas) for holiday presents. Here's a (giant) before picture of a pair that is destined for felting for a friend. The yarn is Jojoland Rhythm, colorway M28. I've not felted with it before so hope I have a happy ending to report in a week or so.


IHappy holidays, everyone!

Giving Thanks

We had such a wonderful Thanksgiving this year. When you live far away from your family, you make your own - we are so thankful for our friends. First, there's Ethan


Ethan's greatest desire is a place of prominence on our blog - your wish is my command!

Tom and Sam both helped a bunch this year. Tom helped Hugh with the turkey, which, per tradition, Hugh smokes in the Weber grill. It's fabulous! Hugh also smoked a couple of Cornish hens.


This is the hungry kids waiting for dinner - Sam, Ethan, Tom, Gabe, and Oren plus Susan, Dean, Tom, and Jane in the background.


Here are the adults - minus Dean - at the table - from left to right Tom, Susan, me, Steve, Jane and Hugh.


And here's a picture of some of the spread!


We are thankful that you all could share this special day with us.