Picklelicious

This is an everyday, at home sort of story. We went to New Jersey for my brother-in-law's engagement party. Hurray! Ok, I have to admit, before marrying into a NYC family, I'd never heard of an engagement party. Weddings, yes. Rehearsal dinner, of course. Wedding showers, absolutely. Even the odd bachelor/ette party. However, those Yankees enjoy a party to celebrate the engagement, too. They wanted to tell me, no, this is a normal thing, everyone does it, everywhere. I said, uhh, not among us Southern Jews...anyhow, now I'm part of the family, I go to some of the parties. They even threw one for me. Who knew?

Anyhow, before the big event, we had a chance to go to the Morristown Farmer's Market, which was really fun. We bought flowers for the family member throwing the party, hard sheep's cheese that could travel in the suitcase, and ....pickles. A 3/4 sour pickle for each of us. It came on a stick, so we could walk around. It was yummy, and I'd never had a pickle on a stick before!
If you're in that area of the world, I recommend Picklelicious. Since I don't live near this pickle mecca, I made my own sour dills this week from the garden cukes. They're pretty good--but nothing like as good as Guss'_Pickles, my husband's all-time favorite.

When we got home, we discovered that Harry didn't feel so good. "Cough, Cough, Mom, rub my belly..." so now the guy is on doggy antibiotics. Apparently doggy antibiotics didn't agree with him this morning, so uhh, now I've had to clean up the dining room rug yet again. Why does everyone get sick on that rug? I'm beginning to think, you know, maybe I don't need a rug there. Hardwood floors? Just fine without the rug? I'm thinking. The rug is drying.

Meanwhile, in a futile attempt to stall on writing a big proposal-thingee, (oh, my brain hurts!)I've finally been spinning again. I finished this fine 4 oz of Cormo:
This thing took me all summer. No kidding. I bought the dang stuff at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. It took me forever, which is partly because of lack of interest. It was hot, and maybe I'm not a fine soft wool thin spinning kind of gal right now in my life. I removed the bobbin from the wheel, stuffed it in a basket (I'll ply it or do something with it later. I don't want to see it again for a while.)

In its stead? A worsted weight Cotswold and Silk single ply. I finished this in an hour. No kidding!! I also spun another bobbin the next day. I'm working on one a day, I think. Amazing how a bit of cool weather and a change can make all the difference!
Please, leave me a comment. Tell me about your favorite pickle. Your coughing pet? Your proposal thingee? Or handspun adventures? I know you're out there. I hear some of you are even reading regularly...but how would I know?!