Christkindlmarkt & Gluhwein Gallop 5K

 Angels in the market --

 Three bears --

There was a 5K -- 

 Guess which three walked and which one ran / and won their age category???

 Popular Fire pit.

 

Supervision

 Bringing in a ferel cat -- 

who wants out every morning from 4am - 6am.   Try to tell a kitty it is -16 degrees "feel like" temperature.

 This is one of the first times she came by.  and I've / we've been feeding her for a few months now.

Were able to get her into a crate and take her to local vet -- no chip.   No mites, fleas, no feline leukemia.   She does have a hernia, to be repaired 12/22.     Has had all her shots.  It is est she is 1.5 years old.

I named her Jasmine.   After my kitty, Jasper, crossed the rainbow bridge.... followed by our Honey a month or 2 later - I hesitated to bring in another furbaby.

But, so far - she is okay.

And seems to like t.v. and needlework!!!   

 She patiently watches the needle and thread while I try to learn Nanduti (art form from Paraguay).   Thru the Virtual Education @Lace Museum.

 

Chilly Chicago in November

 Yep,

we bought tickets.  Were able to view

the final show, Nov 30th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.   DH and I were uncertain what to expect - he liked the 2nd part better than the first part.  I was wow'd with the whole thing.  Billy Corgan, orchestra, videos, choir, soloists,  music .   WOW.

We started at the Cultural Center, made our way

to the Christmas Market 

looked at the Macy's windows,

Shaw's Crab House

 to warm up!!

And on to the concert. [no cell allowed during performances].

 Lobby - beautiful building.

 Inside the theatre.

 We were in balcony - tho, grateful for ANY seats we could get when the tickets went on sale.

Turkey Trot 5K

 Still outside - still skittish.

Brrrrr . . . . early morning 5K w/DD.

Some snow flurries around mile 2.5.

After the walk, swung by Starbucks - a popular place today.

We plan to grill out today -- just have a couple

of side dishes to put together.

Enjoy the day!

 

Embroidered Disk Class

 

Yesterday, the L.A.C.E. Chapter of the

International Organization of Lace had a presention + class on 2D / Disc embroidery inspired by Japanese Temari patterns.

Initially, I started the disc like a thread wrapped button!!  Not the correct idea for this disc ; )   I was carrying the fiber accross the back instead of creating little stitches along the points.   As it was 'pretty' as it was, did a few rounds in 2 colors.

Once I got the hang of herringbone -- I tried on top of the other pattern -- the dk reddish floss is the Herringbone Stitch -- I should have been using.   

All is well, the kit had extra disc pieces to try.   Extra hoop.   Will enjoy this small project.  I'll give it another go with herringbone - maybe the same DMC floss colors.

 

Heart Class:

 Dayton Chapter (FB Page) has nicer photograph of the project

Kit and Underside Couching instruction, Tanya Bentham,  Blog: Opusanglicanum.

Earlier Today:  Tanya Bentham: Underside Couching Heart Class / Workshop -- zia zoom.

Here is the kit .. and the pattern laced to a needlework frame.  Linen fiber, Colors are Passing #6.  (Benton & Johnson fibers).

This is what I accomplished during class.

There were 3 color choices with the kits.  I selected pinks.

 A start.

Snow Day:

 Round 2 of the snow.

 Round 1 of the snow.

 

Outside kittys:

These are the latest

ferel kittys we are feeding.

They don't trust us.

They do eat!!

Sherlock & KiKi

 

Amigurumi: PIKA

When I was at the IOLI 2025 Convention,

one of the participants had lovely Amigurumi projects.

I thought, what fun!  She had

beautiful pieces - dragons - pinkeeps, etc.

DS and I are trying our hand with

this Knit Picks BEGINNER kit.

Are you kidding me?  Beginner?

We started with a Magic Loop -- which I'm still

unable to do ... DS figured it out : ) and I'm a few

crochet rounds completed

to create the PIKA.

Wish me luck.

https://www.knitpicks.com/looops-crochet-kit-american-pika/p/N6255?srsltid=AfmBOopISzp3RrTrgOaPDKyi4TlOWn_W0tfnWUarb6ErVgCUlY6vEJNM

 

250 mi / 5 mi

  DD gave this set to me last Friday.

We are walking the https://www.porterstarke.org/events/valpo-turkey-trot   Porter Starke Turkey Trot in November.

 Last year - we walked - was quite chilly that day!  Lots of layers.

250 mileechallenge --- started June 11th, end date is Oct 31st.

Gasoline Alley 250 Mile Challenge.   Currently I have 269.65 mi., not sure how many more miles I'll add this month.    Most are Pedometer readings from Fitbit watch.  Yesterday, DH & I went for a bike ride (just under 22 miles), had we riden our bikes more often this year, I'd have more miles!!!   I'd sign up again - incentive to keep moving.     

  

Myreshka: Ukrainian Drawn Work - Bookmark

  Look what 

I found?   My kit!  Myreshka - Ukrainian Drawn Work.

Instructions & kit c.Jane Ellen Balzuweit.

And, it looks like there is a bookmark partially complete --

The white one (finished one) is dated 09-08-2001!!

20-count linen, perle coton No. 8, and

perle coton No. 5.  Needle size 22 and size 24.

 

Beautiful Lake Michigan

 New Buffalo, MI

KALEO - Mixed Emotions Tour

GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Grand Rapids, MI

 

Wonderful concert - excellent venue.

One of my favs:

LEGO: Botanicals

Petite Sunny Bouquet

Gift from DD ...

 Delightful time building flowers from LEGO pieces.

 

5K Race x 2

Mag Mile 5K in Chicago.  What a wonderful event - so nice to be able to be on the Mag Mile, free of traffic --- all ages in this race!! 

DH.

Nice swag -- Plus, HOKA sponsored a 'mile' withint the 5k.

Participants predicted their time for one mile & if you

beat that time, were able to select a HOKA prize.   So, I beat

the time I predicted & selected sunglasses for DH.

After the 5K (there was also a 10K) - were given a box lunch , Eli's cheesecake, beer, two tickets to the 2025 Taste of Chicago in Grant Park.   The vendors were open to race participants until 11am.   DH & I had Empanadas-- Spinach, Corn, Chicken, & Ham/Sheese.  So delicious.  Pretzels, Gatorade, Water, Bananas - no skimping!!!

 

Buckingham Memorial Fountain in Grant Park.

You can see some of the vendors, too.

 Chicago is a beautiful city on the edge of Lake Michigan.  One of 2 ferris wheels (other one on Navy Pier).

 View at night from the Blackstone Hotel on Michigan Avenue.

Chicago Reserve Roastery - When you visit Chicago,

Starbuck's on Michigan Ave is a MUST STOP.

Four Corners Winery had a 5K for an animal rescue -- horses.  

Was a perfect day for it.  Nice athletic top & finisher's medal.

 Nice to have a sample of their white wine - and the setting/venue, so peaceful!!!   I'd go back again ....