Category Archives: Out and About

A Sweet Reprieve

A lucky girl was I this past weekend. My nephew got married . . . in Naples, Florida! I went from this sunrise at O’Hare Airport (Chicago skyline 18 miles away in the background) on Friday morning . . .

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. . . to this sunset on a Naples beach Friday night.

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It was pretty chilly (sweater weather) when we arrived, but compared to the temperature we left behind I was not complaining one bit. By the time we left on Sunday it felt like beach weather. 😮

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The wedding reception was held at The Naples Beach Hotel. Before the reception we had hors d’oeuvres on the lawn, which was right next to the beach. Yes, the view was amazing! We had a view of the Gulf of Mexico during the indoor reception, too, but I must admit I didn’t notice; the reception was that much fun. We stayed until the very end; all the guests that were still around sent the bride and groom off through a pathway of glittering sparklers.

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We didn’t spend much time in the hotel room, but this was the view we had.

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This was early Sunday morning on the beach; it was still cool.

We arrived back home on Sunday night. Weather delayed our flight so I didn’t get to bed until after 1:00 am on Monday morning. Yesterday was a day of recovering from all of the excitement, and catching up on lost sleep. (At my age, it takes extra time.)

Another week of holiday break with my college student, then everyone is back to work.

FYI, we’ve warmed up here in northern Illinois. I got a brisk walk in yesterday, and will get another one in today. The temperature is already above freezing and the sun is shining. Yay!

Have a wonderful day, my friends. ❤

It’s Been a Co-o-o-ld Holiday Week

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Oh boy, is it ever cold! I miss going out for my daily walk so much! I think my soul is suffering from the lack of fresh air and sunshine, but it’s just been way, way too cold. This morning might be the worst yet—a minus 20 windchill! And, I know some of you are lots worse off than that. *sigh*

Anyway, we’ve been hibernating and keeping busy inside with puzzles, games, crafty projects, cooking, eating, eating, eating (too much).

On Christmas Eve, I received an order of yarn for some “human makes” and a set of Hiyahiya interchangeable circular knitting needles. My yarn and needle stash is all geared towards dolly makes (skinny yarn and skinny needles), so I took the plunge and ordered an entire set of larger needles and enough yarn for at least 6 human-sized projects.

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Hiyahiya Sharps are my new favorite needles. They ARE sharp and make it so much easier to execute K2togs, SSKs, and for knitting lace. I’ve been using the 8-inch sharp steel DPNs for quite a few months now for my doll knitting and do not want to go back to my other basic tipped needles. The 8-inch DPNs seem to be the perfect length for all of my dolly items.

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My set of interchangeables was a bit pricey, but if I purchased the needles separately I’d easily spend more than this. And, I am enjoying knitting with them so much.

My daughter wanted a super bulky and cabled headband to keep her ears warm while walking to her classes. I found the perfect pattern while perusing Ravelry. Within one day I completed it! Seriously, who knew knitting for humans could go so quickly. I used 2 strands of Knit Picks bulky Swish merino, so soft. The pattern is from Posh Patterns and is simply called the Cable Knit Headband.

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On Thursday, my daughter wanted to make some delicate beaded necklaces. I showed her how to work with decorative bead cord which has the flexible needle integrated into one end, bead tips to hide the knots, and my jewelry tools to add jump rings and clasps. She had so much fun—she made 5 necklaces. It makes my heart sing to see her make things. ❤

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Here are a few more photos from the Pabst Mansion when we visited last week. In case you missed those posts and would like to see the other photos you can find them here and here.

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The conservatory is a smallish room that faces south and east. It was chilly the night we visited, but I cannot help but think about how COLD it is in here today! On warmer days, though, what a wonderful place to enjoy breakfast.

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The walls and floor and all tiled with very old looking ceramic tiles. I think the designer decorated it for Christmas very prettily.

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The phone room is so tiny and cozy. It’s located on the first floor off of the staircase area. There is a door to close for those private conversations they must have had.

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I haven’t been doing any dolly creating this week, and I really haven’t spent any time at all in my sewing room. I’ll go in to get something and that’s the extent of it. We all need a break from “work”, don’t we?

So, that’s some of the recent news from COLD Illinois. I hope you, too, are staying warm if you are in the frigid zone.

Thanks so much for visiting with me today, and for your support all through 2017, my friends.

❤ ❤ ❤

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Pabst Mansion Christmas Twilight Tour

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Merry Christmas Eve to all who celebrate Christmas! I am sitting here writing to you from cozy and Christmasy northern Illinois. I have a fire in the fireplace, the Christmas tree is lit, and the finest powdered sugar snow is falling outside. It’s only been snowing for a short time; the grass is still bare, but the rooftops and paved surfaces are frosted white.

Today I have more photos to show you from our Twilight Tour at the Pabst Mansion.

I wish I was able to capture the entire vertical space of the grand staircase. It is quite impressive to say the least. It rises up 3 stories with a landing and multiple turns between each floor. So, you go up about 8 stairs, turn right and go up some more stairs, then you reach a rectangular landing with doors that open to the outside along the left and a little balcony that oversees the foyer on the right, after walking along the landing you then turn and go up the last 8 or so stairs to get to the next floor. At the very top of the staircase is a huge stained glass skylight that opens for ventilation on warm days.

The photo below was taken on the main floor looking up to the first two sets of stairs.

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The photo below is taken standing on the first balcony and looking down to the foyer.

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This was taken on the third floor, standing on that floor’s foyer. You can see the doors or windows that open to the outside for warm weather ventilation.

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And another from the third floor.

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Today I’d also like to show you Elsbeth’s room. She is the granddaughter whom Captain and Mrs. Pabst adopted. Elsbeth had a huge bedroom on the second floor. It faced the front of the house, and must have been a sunny room having southern and western facing windows.

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Elsbeth’s portrait hangs above the fireplace. She is the only child to be raised in the mansion. This room is still going through renovation.

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Elsbeth’s bathroom still has the original marble sink and tile. Off the bathroom is a little dressing room with another gorgeous windowsill and built in closet.

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