~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~ Ginny at small things

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First, can you believe it’s October already? Where did September go … and why am I so very ready for cooler weather (we’re looking forward to lots of snow-days this year!).

On the reading table: I’ve just finished GKC’s Collected Works: Vol. 3 — The Catholic Church and Conversion … and others. I love the way GKC writes; he’s so logical and provocative and I can’t help but sit and nod my head in agreement, quoting the best parts to anyone who will listen. This is definitely a keeper, a book I’ll have by my bedside to delve into when I have a moment or two and want to really think about my Catholic faith and what it means. GKC is as right now as he was nearly 100 years ago when he was writing. Definitely highly recommend this one. We’re still reading The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom, but hope to be done with that this week; as I’ve mentioned before, the kids love it but I’m ambivalent: it can be quite funny but seems to drag just a tad.

Also on my reading table, Natural Science Through the Seasons: 100 Teaching Units, a newly-available reprint from my publisher, Hillside Education. This book, originally published in 1955, opens a year’s worth of natural science for all of us nature-challenged homeschoolers! Starting in the month of September, and working the way through the ten school-months, James Partridge leads the family through nature study based on the calendar — what’s available to see, to do, to plant or build. Each month has a calendar that suggests daily natural science activities (such as rooting branches of fruit trees or learning to read the thermometer). I’m anxious to use this book with my own … and may just go ahead and start in December when the book discusses the stars in December, knowing/enjoying and sheltering birds, nature’s eating places for birds, setting up a bird cafeteria, charting temperatures, exploring frost/snow/ice, and even a couple of units about Christmas and evergreens and decorating the house. I will do a larger review in the next few days, but did want to mention this lovely addition to our homeschool which covers learning ideas for primary-aged through middle school!

On my knitting needles is a cashmere shawl that I started at Shenandoah Valley Fiber Festival last weekend. I spent the weekend in Berryville helping Jane with her Spring Gate Farm booth … and knitting away while chatting with folks about this luscious fiber. The rust brown of this yarn is gorgeous and sings of fall. This sweet-heart shaped shawl, knit from the top down, will be finished up this weekend when I’ll be down at Montpelier for the Fall Fiber Festival. I’m taking a class in the morning but then will spend an hour-and-a-half in the demo tent, helping others find the joy of knitting; by last few hours, I’ll be back with Spring Gate and chatting with customers. If you’re in the area on Sunday, come by and say “hi”! BTW, next weekend I will be teaching at a weekend-long cashmere knitting workshop at Jane’s Farm … contact Jane (6675 Fredericksburg Road Barboursville, Virginia 22923, 434-990-9162) directly if you’re interested and would like further information.

So what’s on your needles and reading table … won’t you come play with us at Ginny’s …