I haven't posted in sometime largely because I was meeting the deadline with Llewellyn. We should hear soon about a publication date and I can't wait to share it with you.

    I have been crocheting up a storm as I watch football and with hockey starting soon, I will have even more excuses to crochet. I have made a beautiful Irish scarf (muffler), a baby's cardigan sweater and matching hat, a baby's hat and matching car seat blanket, booties and hats for the local NICU and scarves for the Special Olympics. Currently I am conquering the art of making socks. Which doesn't sound like it would be a big deal; however, I have found it extremely testing.

    I started attending a Crochet Club and have taken great comfort in the knowledge that socks are difficult for more than just me. It seems socks and gloves are both difficult propositions for most crocheters who are self taught. So I feel good about that. I am happy about them getting us involved in giving back to the community. The NICU was such a great idea and I am hoping to get a few of them to whip up some scarves for the Special Olympics.

    I have also had some quality time with Tree Bear and Stone and enjoyed that immensely. We are moving very soon and so things are about to get really hectic. Tree Bear is doing well in school and has made some good friends this year. I love his teachers and we have had a great working relationship!

    The Fall air is coming in and I love it. The stifling summer heat is abating and with that crisp air a good friend has returned into my life. My family couldn't be more pleased! She has had a child and we are so excited to have her return to her spiritual family.

    I got a phone call from London. A first for me, my good friend Suz is over there on vacation and was picking up gifts for everyone. She was very excited and wanted Stone's shirt size. She said she has had a blast and that people in Paris are mean to Americans.

    My familiars' are going to live with another Family Covener. Tree Bear's allergies are terrible and it has been a difficult decision to make. However, a trusted Family Covener has agreed to take them in so they stay "in the family" so to speak and she gets a great mouser. We have been showering extra love and attention on them and hope to ease our loss by finding a house to live in with a fenced in yard to keep a dog in – which Tree Bear is not allergic to. We are also looking for hard wood flooring and will be steam cleaning everything as it leaves the house.
Tree Bear can't live a life with a permanent sinus infection. It is still sad though.

I am also working on my Tour for 2009. If you are interested in having me attend your event, please email me at lydia@lydiacrabtree.com.

    That catches you up on this end. I have started on my next book already. I am hopeful to finish this one in a shorter turnaround time now that I have some perspective of what publishers want. My love and affection to ya'll!