Seen at the Piggly Wiggly

Seen at the Piggly Wiggly (aka The Pig) in Warrior, AL this evening. 

I've seen this bear riding up and down Highway 160 and Highway 31 but this was the first time I've caught him stopped.  I didn't realize this was a business, I just thought it was some guys having fun with unsuspecting motorists!  It turns out that Larry of Larry's Bear Den is just promoting his business, which is located in Warrior.  He used a chainsaw to carve the bears and birds that you see in the truck.  He does amazing work, doesn't he?  That standing bear is impressive. 

So, if you're looking for a last minute gift for the person who has everything or would like a lifesize bear for yourself, give Larry a call.  He'll be happy to hear from you.

A Must Enter Contest



Elizabeth of Liz Thomas Photography is having a contest over on her blog, Three Boys and a Thousand Hills.  You'll need to scroll down to the November 26th post for details (I know, I'm a little behind here).  Elizabeth is my friend, cousin, mother of my three favorite fellas, and photographer extraordinaire.

I just love Elizabeth's work.  I really do.  Her studio is the farm where she lives or the village nearby and I'm not sure how she does it, but her work always looks fresh and different.  She just doesn't take pictures, she tells a story.  I'm ever amazed at her ability to capture the soul and the spirit of the people she photographs.

This past fall, I got to be Elizabeth's assistant for an afternoon shoot.  Since then, I've decided that when I retire, I want to be her assistant.  I just love this photo from that afternoon!  Doesn't it look like it belongs in Southern Living?












Back to the contest, she has some fabulous prizes to give away!  And one of them just happens to be a custom child's hat made by Graves Gap Knitting!  Two of the options are the pumpkin one pictured above or the striped one below.

Oh, and before I forget, Elizabeth says that if anyone in Alabama wins the mini session, it can be scheduled the next time she comes home to Alabama.  Personally, I think it would be well worth the trip to Kentucky.  But then again, I'm always looking for a reason to see the fellas!

When you enter the contest, please be sure and let Elizabeth know that you heard about the contest here.  And if you win a prize, be sure to let me know.  Good luck!

All photos used with permision of Liz Thomas Photography.

Thank You Mr. Mailman!

Friday and Saturday were lots of fun at my house!  My orders from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas came.  Yes, two orders (I splurged)!  I placed an order on Monday but they were out of one item but were expecting it again soon.  I happened to check again on Tuesday and the item was in so I ordered it!

This was Friday's order!  It was just like Christmas!

Here's what was in my bag:
-one skein of Rowan Baby Alpaca DK in Color 205 (Jacob).  This is destined for Churchmouse's Welted Fingerless Gloves and I'm swatching now.  The yarn is SOOO soft!  Cream in not really my color but it will be on my hands, not next to my face
-a linen project bag
-a beautiful, blank, notecard

Also included was a lovely note from Susan C. at Churchmouse.  Thank you Susan! 

Saturday's mail brought this:

My order was all packed and wrapped in tissue paper and included another lovely notecard.

In the box was the Wooly Wreath and Garland Kit.  I don't think I'll get this made in time for Christmas but it'll be fine to leave up through the winter. 

So, thank you Churchmouse and Mr. Mailman for making my days!
The coffee's on so I'm going to swatch for my new gloves!

Supper at Big Daddy's

I finally ate at Big Daddy's.  I've been meaning to stop by for a while now and finally ate there a week ago with friends and cousins, Virginia and Kelley.  It was a cold night and the atmosphere (and temperature) inside was warm and welcoming.

In 2008, Big Daddy's won the Birmingham News' readers choice award for best ribs.

This night, we didn't try the ribs.  I had the Bar-B-Q chicken and Virginia and Kelley had the Bar-B-Que pork.  They prounouced their pork delicious.  My chicken was a little chewier than I would have liked but the flavor was good.  Next time, I'll try the pork.  See that little cup of slaw?  You can put that on your sandwich or on your plate like we did.  Those fries!  Oh, they were the crispiest, most wonderful things ever.  We all loved them.  I could have eaten a plate full of just fries!

We met Big Daddy while we were there and he gracefully posed so Kelley and I could take a picture of him. And, Jon, if you're reading this, he says he ships his Bar-B-Q all the time.  Just give him a call!

So, if you're ever travelling I-65 between Birmingham and Huntsville and are in the mood for barbeque, hop off at one of the Warrior exits and check out Big Daddy's.  Tell him that the crazy ladies taking all kinds of pictures of his restaurant and their food sent you.

Fast Forward

Have you ever felt like your life was on fast forward and you weren't the one pushing the fast forward button?  Well that's exactly how I've felt since my last post.  The days just seem to be flying by at an alarming speed.  So, what exactly have I been doing?  Well, I've helped my parents with a huge project, stopped by the Gee's Bend Living Exhibit, gone shopping with a friend for something to wear to a wedding, attended two baby showers, gotten stuck in two epic proportion traffic jams (thankfully I had my knitting), attended a giant wedding, travelled to Nashville for Thanksgiving and some Black Friday shopping, drove across the interstate for another Thanksgiving dinner and to see my three favorite boys, listened to Alabama fans whoop it up, and saw Auburn fans cry in their sweet tea (even non-football fans like me check the score of this game!). 
 

But I haven't stopped knitting.  I've been making baby hats for seven babies that have either arrived since October or are scheduled to arrive this month and next.  I've also finished a blanket but that's another post.  I've made an adult hat and am working on another.  And I'm making my Mother a scarf for Christmas. 

Stayed tuned for more updates this week! 

Raise Your Voices And Sing!

Today, my Mother, my cousin Virginia, and I went to County Line Church in Corner, AL for the Reid Memorial Sacred Harp Singing.  Mother and I went to listen and Virginia went to sing.  And what a singing it was!  The little church was full , joyful voices raised the rafters, and the floor was vibrating from the tapping of feet in time to the music. 

The music is raw, and almost shouting at times instead of the melodious music we're accustomed to. But as I sit in that little county church, I feel a sense of history, a connection to my ancestors who sang this music with the joy, fervor and abandon that these people sing.  And it can be haunting at times.  I've listened to it online but I don't think anything compares to hearing it in person. 

In Sacred Harp, the singers sit in a square.  Each side of the square is a different part.  Everyone takes turn standing in the middle of the square and leading a song.  They first sing the shapes and then the words.  Virginia had told me and I had read that the sound in the middle of the square is just incredible and totally different than when sitting out in the church.  And they were right.  Today, I stood in the center with Virginia as she led a song.

Were they ever right!  It was like being in surround sound.  I just wanted to close my eyes and listen.  And now, I wish I had. 

Lunch was served today and what a spread there was!  Fried chicken, dressing, green beans, pinto beans, and the dishes just kept on.  Oh my!  The meal plan (diet) never made it in the door of the fellowship hall today!

 I took green beans, Apple Dumplings, and Hallelujah Biscuits .  I came home with no Apple Dumplings, one biscuit, and half of the green beans. 

There was a little row of crafters - Ruby, my Mother, and me.  Ruby and I knitted and Mother crocheted.  The three of us had a most enjoyable time just listening to the music, tapping our feet, and knitting or crocheting away.

Here are a few photos from the day:

Young and old were there today with all ages in between.  There were people there from Texas, Minnesota, Michigan, and all over Alabama. I can't wait to go again.

A Trio of Hats for A Trio of Boys

Aren't these fellas just adorable in their pumpkin hats?  Last weekend, I went to Berea and Paint Lick, Kentucky to visit my favoritist fellas in the whole wide world.  And I took their pumpkin hats with them.  Their mom and I had decided that  Liam, at a very grownup age 5, probably wouldn't want a stem and leaf on his since he is starting to assert his opinion on matters of clothing.  But when he saw his brothers' hats, he wanted his to be just like theirs.  Thankfully, I had made an extra leaf and had packed it along with brown yarn and my size 8 DPN's in my knitting bags.  So getting them on his hat was a snap.

Isn't this sunset beautiful?  This is what the boys see from their front yard every day.  EVERY DAY!  It is just absolutely beautiful when seeing it in person.

While I was in Berea, I stopped in to check out Weaver's Bottom Craft Studio.  I had  wanted to stop in on previous but just never did for one reaon or another.  Virginia and I stopped in this time and had a delightful visit with Mary Colmer and she was kind enough to give a weaving demonstration for me. 

I did some knitting while there but alas, no pictures.  I mostly worked on Tristan's blanket and have started the eighth and final round of "logs".  The goal is to finish by Thanksgiving.  I also worked on Catherine's shawl.  I'm slogging away on the ruffle.