A view of Alexandria

Dale and I went Friday evening up to the Christmas Market Place in the Masonic Temple overlooking Old Town Alexandria. Here are a couple of pics from the steps looking down on Old Town. It really is pretty during Christmas to see the all the lights in the trees on King Street.

Thanksgiving Makings

(OK Yes I know this is a wee bit out of order. But I am just getting some of these pictures from Dale so hang in there.)

I wanted to take a gift to my mom's and Dales friends Danny and Chrissie for Thanksgiving. I figured it was the least I could do for them opening up their homes to us on Thanksgiving. So Dale and I got up that morning and went walking through the woods for Holly, Evergreens, and Pine Cones. I then made a wreath for my mom and a nice little candle arrangement for Dales friends. I was pretty pleased with the way the wreath turned out :-)

Dale's Birthday Present for Me

Ok so Dale was a bit upset that I had posted pictures of everyone else's gifts but his. Truth is, I wanted to post the pictures of the making of my wonderful gift! And of coarse he had all of the pictures. So here they are...

Dale decided to make me a knife from scratch for my Birthday. This all started when some friends of ours came over for a bonfire and a brother and sister team forged a nice little knife. She was so kean on her knife and I thought it was pretty cool myself. So Dale went to work starting to make mine. He had a vision of using one of his Celtic Crosses in the handle. He was then worried it would look funny with the cross on just one side. Lucky enough, I had a very similar cross and about the same size. So I gave him mine to put in the other side. So the handle is a marriage of my cross and his.

It turned out simply amazing! I don't think I have ever had a guy make ME something. I am always knitting for others. So this truly truly means allot to me. Thank you love!

Mindy bird enjoying a nice Clementine

My good side...

Hey...I'm impressed I can stretch that well!

My birthday weekend :-)

Well I am officially 28. Ughh I feel old. LOL! This has been a wonderful weekend full of friends and family. Even though I told my friends they were not to get me things I just wanted the see them, they did. That lovely hat was knit for me by Brynn a matching scarf is coming. Kate got me the black sheep slippers the and ordered a amazing kit for me to make this great felted bag. Anne gave me the snickers bar! The batman card is from Ashley. And the scarf is from Carter, it is the McPhail Modern scarf. Pretty cool huh!

Friday was spent with the family. Then Saturday Dale came down to Alexandria where we had brunch at OC's with Kate Craig and Brynn. Dale and I then hopped the metro to Pentagon City for a little coffee and shopping. Then back to Alexandria for Pints with Carter, Ashley and Anne. And today we woke up to ichhh outside. Trying to think of good rainy day things I picked the Museum of Natural History. And Dale didn't argue one bit! Thank god a man that actually wants to go to the museums with me.

Friday was great! Mom, dad, TJ, Renae and I went to the Festival of Trees and then went shopping at Best Buy. Stacy got a new camera! Hence the update to the blog! Then we went to Silver Spring Mining Company for dinner.

TJ and I

Mom and Renae

My Mom and Dad

My little black sheep and the MacPhail Hunting Ancient Scarf I got. Dales Tartan.

Dale and I on the Metro to Pentagon City

Shannon this is for you! I hope it's the right one...

Ashley at Murphys

Anne and I at Murphys

Rocky :-) He sang me happy birthday!

Anne and I doing the Unicorn song

My love

Dale and I at Murphys

Museum of Natural History!

I have days like this too!

Sighh Dale said he would get it for me...The Hope Diamond!

Chinese Laundry Mat!

You know...I just have to laugh at myself sometimes! This was pure genius! Needless to say it had been a while since I washed stockings. Not enough chairs to hang all of them on. So a little string and two kitchen cabinets and PRESTO! LOL As I sat there and looked at it I just had to laugh. I was also waiting to forget it was there and hang myself on it :-)

Ughhhhh

So I have had this awful cough for like 2 weeks now. I finally went to the doctors yesterday and lucky me I have Bronchitis! Ugghh...But I am on drugs now so I should be good to go for Turkey Day and my Birthday! November 29th for those who wish to send presents! LOL JUST KIDDING!

Hopefully I am getting a new camera REAL soon so I will try and get some updates up on here as well as on the knitting blog.

Dale's new hat

Dale's Birthday was in September which of coarse I missed. So as a late Birthday present I got him one of the Donegal Tweed hats. He had tried Lyns on at the party and Heather and I both said oh yeah you need one of those. I like!

New Beginnings...

Wow...so much has been happening. It has been about 6 months since Paul and I have parted ways. And until recently I have had a very hard time dealing with it. It was about 4 weeks ago that something suddenly snapped in my head and I realized...his loss, I deserve better. I am a woman worth fighting for, and he gave that fight up. His loss!

Just as I was coming to this realization...into my life came Dale. Well Dale has actually been there for about 4 or 5 years now. However; he or I were always in a relationship so it was never pursued. Both being just out of relationships dealing with some of the same emotions we decided to get together and lend a ear and shoulder. It's been three weeks now and He has been a shinning light at the end of the tunnel. With a seal of approval from all of my nearest and dearest friends, I think I'm gonna keep him for a while.

Me at Heather's Birthday Tea Party
Dale and I Halloween

My British Nanny look from the Tea Party

Dale and I at Heather's Party. Notice the angel on my left shoulder. Just for the record this is the only picture that is in...

Dale and I Halloween