weekender sweater with crew neck

I must say, I am pretty happy this sweater is off the needles and I can honestly say I like it.
As I mentioned, I wasn't happy with the neckline of the Weekender on me.  It's not that I don't like how it looks, I think it truly is one of the most darling sweaters out there, I just didn't like how the boatneck felt on me.
So, I decided to rework the neckline into a simple crew.  This feels so much better on my neck.  This I can wear.
I've put the changes I have made over on Ravelry.  But, only for my size.  If you would like help, however, I am happy to help.

Oh!  And one small thing.  This yarn is Malibrigo Rios.  A superwash yarn which can be machine washed and dried.  Um.  I did just that and it shrunk!  I need to rewash and pull and try to reshape it to the original size.  It's a lot smaller than it was.  Ugh.

Pattern:  The Weekender
Yarn:  Malabrigo Rios, 063 Natural 5 skeins
Size: S
Needles: US 7 and 8

the most amazing pumpkin bread

I wanted to send my college kids a care package so that gave me an excuse to bake pumpkin bread. (It's finally fall!)  It just happens to be everyones favorite in our family!  My girlfriend Amy makes and gifts this bread all fall and we just happened to be the lucky recipient on a few occasions.  
 It's amazing alone but the cream cheese frosting is the real show stopper.  It's truly AMAZING.
 Charlie showed up just in time and snagged the plate I was photographing.  Pretty fitting that he was wearing a gingham shirt that matched my napkin!
{Um.  Pass your plate, Charlie.  I'll eat your icing.} 

Pumpkin Bread:
4 eggs
2/3 cup water
1 cup oil (I used avocado oil)
1 15 oz can pumpkin
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp clove
(you can also use pumpkin pie seasoning)
nuts (optional - i don't use them)

-Beat eggs; add oil, water and pumpkin.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Bake in a greased and floured loaf pan at 350˚ for 45-60 min until cooked through.  Makes 2 regular sized loaves or 4-6 small depending on the size of your loaf pans.  A good rule of thumb is to not fill your loaf pan more than 1/2 way full!  

Cream Cheese Icing:
1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

-Beat until creamy!

Enjoy your weekend.  Temps have just dipped in the last 24 hours and all I want to do is knit.  (Naturally!)
I finished my Weekender.  I quite like it!  Pics next week.
Onto my new project!

my mom turned 84 yesterday

{Circa 1977}
My sweet mom was a nurse.  During this point in her life she was a school nurse.  At the high school where my sisters and I attended.  It was pretty cool to have her as our school nurse.
I love this photo of her in the nurses office.  Knitting away.  And I remember that sweater with it's stripes wrapping around the sleeves.  Her fingernails painted as usual.  I just wish I knew what was on that piece of paper that was making her so happy.

Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you with all of my heart.