Chloe's Birthday Sweater

I just finished knitting this sweater for Chloe's first birthday in December--still have to find some pretty buttons, but it's basically finished. This was a really fun pattern to do and I think she will look beautiful in it!

Oh Silly Me

I always had this image of the praying mantis--you know, sitting quietly with his little arms folded in prayer, contemplating the beauty of God's creation. Was I ever wrong on this one! Last week I was thrilled to see this praying mantis sitting on the hummingbird feeder outside of our kitchen window. Wouldn't it be fun to watch the interaction between these two species? Well, I quickly found out that this bug should really be called a "preying mantis!" The poor little hummingbirds would hover near the feeder only to be greeted by this extremely hostile and aggressive bug--he actually would lurch at the birds and they would leave! Needless to say, I got out a net and moved the little bugger!

Here Goes

I've decided to try my hand at blogging, since I think it will be a fun way to keep in touch with everyone during our upcoming trip to China. We will be going to Guangzhou, which is in southern China, just a little north of Hong Kong. We will be leaving on October 5th and after a LONG flight from here to Minneapolis, and to Tokyo we will arrive in China about 11 p.m. on the 6th. We will be staying at the White Swan hotel. You can check it out at www.whiteswanhotel.com. We have been told by someone who is already working over there that the breakfast buffet is wonderful, but don't go to the market and try the chicken feet--no worries there, it wasn't on my list of things to do while in China! Well, that's all for now.