Give Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

I am not a huge sports fan. I just don't really get it. A part of me dies when football season starts, I do not understand anything about tennis and don't even get me started on sports commentators. 

The only exception to this is going to Red Sox games. If I had to watch a baseball game on TV I would die of boredom but seeing a game at cozy Fenway Park- that's something I love. 

I think my love for Red Sox games  probably has something to do with the amount of delicious food at Fenway. We always grab these delicious Italian sausages before the game. Oh my lands, they are so tasty! We also had ice cold lemonade, chocolate/vanilla swirl ice cream with Oreo crumbles and french fries with nacho cheese. Oh, and we watched the game a little too.

The green monster is both the wall in left field and the Red Sox mascot. Since it was Mormon day at Fenway park we had lots of friends to enjoy the game with. The sun was beating down on us out there in the right field so a bunch of us took a break to hang out under the bleachers with Wally.

Once the game reached the 7th inning stretch and we had sung Sweet Caroline at the top of our lungs we decided to escape the heat and head downtown.

We have not had nearly enough time to see Boston this summer, we've been so busy going other places. We walked through Newbury Street down to the Public Garden and Boston Common. There is nothing like Boston in the summer, it's so green and nice here. Yes, it can get humid but this summer has been just lovely.

Bostonia?

This area adjacent to Boston Common is one of my favorites. There is such a great mix of architecture, everything from one of the oldest churches in Boston to modern high rises and brownstones.

What would a day of food and sun be without a little more food? We had heard great things about UBurger so we popped in the location across from the old Capital building to try it. I would say it's one of the better burgers I've had here. It's still not In-N-Out but then again, nothing is.

Tribal Neon

I spotted this blanket on Pinterest (where else) and got very curious. It's so unlike anything I have ever seen or made. I was very intimidated to even look at the pattern, it seemed like it would be too complex to make heads or tails of. Once I got my hands on it and put some concentration into deciphering the pattern it was not as difficult as I had imagined.

It took me a while to find just the right colors and I ended up using my trusty favorite- Stylecraft DK from Deramores. Like the neon in this blanket, I was a little nervous to use such bright colors. I think the risk paid off beautifully though! Just look at this baby!

I should have taken more pictures of the process of this blanket because it's different than anything I've ever done before. You actually make 7 separate pieces and then you stitch them all together. It looks a lot more complicated than it really is, the whole blanket is just double crochets, nothing too crazy at all.

It ended up being a small little guy, I wasn't sure how to scale the pattern without having to make it much, much bigger. It's just a little larger than the lovie blankets I made back here. In the original pattern it has some great fringe on the ends, if I get around to adding that it will make it look a little larger. Who doesn't love a little fringe anyway?

This project came together so quickly, I was sad that I didn't get to work on it longer. I am thinking about choosing another colorway and making a larger version but I have about 4 other projects in the works before that happens. If you have any suggestions for color combos let me know!

Tribal Neon Stats

Yarn: Stylecraft Special DK
Colors: White, Aspen, Turquoise, Jaffa, Fiesta, Plumb, Mocha, Bright Green and Spring Green
Hook: 5.5mm
Finished size: 22"x28"
Pattern: Here

A Sealing Reception

Let me tell you about one of the greatest couples in the Lynnfield Ward. They add so much cheer and joy to our ward, we all just love them to bits! Jo and Don Conklin eloped together 38 years ago. They found and joined the church about a year ago and have been looking forward to being Sealed together for time and all eternity ever since. Since they didn't have much hoopla surrounding their wedding all those years ago they wanted a reception and party after their Sealing. 

About a month ago the Relief Society President in our ward pulled me aside and told me she had a project for me. I was recently called as the Compassionate Service Leader in the ward and have been loving it! So when I was asked to throw a party as part of my calling I immediately started planning, scheming and list making. I love a good party!

I had such a great time getting things together for this event. I dug out boxes of things we had left from our own wedding reception- lights and buntings. I borrowed vases from ladies in the ward, ordered flowers and filled our kitchen with the most delicious smelling bouquets. A few trips to Target and Michael's and we were well our way to an elegant evening.

We set up in the courtyard behind the Belmont chapel, right behind the Temple. It was a perfect evening with twinkle lights in the trees, music wafting through the courtyard and friends dancing and laughing together.

I called in a little coaching from my best friend on how to make a cake this tall. It was a French vanilla cake with lemon buttercream frosting and I have to say I was pretty excited that it turned out so well. We ended up eating every last bite of it before the party was over.

I hope it turned out to be a memorable evening for the Conklins. They got to cut the cake together, throw the bouquet and toast to their eternity as husband and wife.