We pack snacks and water, the stroller, and what we fondly refer to as Cooper's "adventure pack," but what is in reality a mini fanny pack he can use to hold/collect little treasures. The drive north a pleasant one, winding and green, with the tiniest hints of cooler days ahead. I knit in the car while Nicholas drove, Cooper played with stickers and his etch-a-sketch, and we all listened to a podcast and some Anberlin, since we've been on a throwback music kick lately). ...

We celebrated with a date night, courtesy of my SIL, Katelyn watching Cooper at home. I wore a skirt and top, my hair freshly curled while Cooper rummaged through the bathroom cabinet at my feet, and lots of discussion about how this was a special date for just mama and daddy, but we'd take him on another date soon. In the car, we listened to music we loved when we started dating (circa 2010ish), all those years ago. Our reservations were at a new-to-us restaurant, not far from the lake...

On that note, here are little tidbits of our life lately: More beach days. On our most recent one, Cooper really enjoyed swimming in the lake with us. We're at the point in the season where the water is so much warmer than it was. Still chilly, because it's Lake Michigan, of course, but less of a shocking and more of a refreshing chilly...

The pattern was enjoyable with large sections of garter, eyelets, or brioche. And I knew the shape would be quite wearable, as I love to wear (especially lightweight) crescent shaped shawls wrapped like scarves. Yarn: several smaller amounts of sock weight yarn from stash. Main color used throughout is a tweed sock weight yarn (mauve, although I can't recall the exact shade) from Sweet Sparrow YarnsPattern: Color Craze Shawl by Tamy GoreSpecifics/modifications: Adding additional contrast colors, smaller needles, added picot edge for bind off for a little visual interest (I've seen other people knit versions with this technique, and I wanted to try it for the first time)...

Sock knitting! Of course! I don't know if its the camaraderie of summer sock camp, or if I am just really in the mood to knit socks, but they are certainly my project of choice right now. Portable, small, and the progress is so easily visualized. FinishedI also finished a pair of Cyril socks for me in a special yarn (a cashmere blend) that I've had in stash for awhile. I love the colors in these and this pattern fits like a dream every time...