~ 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

First, the prayers: my dear 82-yo-FIL is going into surgery this morning to fix his shoulder. This man has become VERY dear to me over the last 15 years of being married to his eldest and I ask for prayers for the surgeons, nurses, staff that they all do the best possible job on Poppy … prayers for his lovely wife of 62 years who will be very stressed over this whole ordeal … and prayers for Poppy’s healing (who, as his daughter said, “has age against him but he’s pretty feisty”). THANKS!

On the knitting front, I’ve gotten quite a bit done on the red cape I started last week … it’s filled with lots of cables and traditional Aran stitches including seed, 4-st cables and diamonds. I’m loving the way it’s coming out … the feel of the fabric … the depth of the color. Since I’m using Cascade’s Eco-plus (which is almost 500 yards of worsted-weight wool per skein), I’ve only used two skeins so far (and it’s now about 18″ from the neck to the hem). I’ve got another project queued when this is done … so I’m kind of hoping to finish it before the weekend.

On the reading table, we’re still plugging along with the Annotated Hobbit. Bilbo’s journey is very much like our journey to heaven … a link that we’ll be stressing when Advent starts after Thanksgiving. I’ve just started reading a book titled The Christian World of the Hobbit that will help me guide the reading/discussions/projects for this read-aloud to help the kids see the richness and depth of this seemingly simple book. I’m just about finished with the Helen Alvare book that shows that Catholic women can be active women in the secular world while still growing in their faith and staying on the path to heaven — this is an excellent read for anyone who wants to defend Catholicism against the “war on women” cliche prevalent right now.

BTW, I finished and posted the Blue Ridge Mountains shawl … and I’m getting rave reviews about this one.

So what’s on your needles and book-stand? Won’t you come play with us …