Random things

A pair of socks and another pair of mitts for some friends.

Two pair of fingerless mitts for my brother in Canada, mystery yarn from my sister's stash

Another pair of gift socks, this time in an old self-striping Opal colorway

SNOWZILLA 2011...our first blizzard of the year

I have little to say this time.  It's been a difficult winter in many ways, and there's been enough sadness shared here lately. 

I did have some lovely times this past weekend, though.  I took my son, his wife, and three of their children to the Davis Mercantile in Shipshewana, where I used to work. The merchants of the Merc were hosting a special benefit for a very nice young couple who own and operate a restaurant on the top floor of the building.  They had a house fire last summer, lost everything in their home, and she was very badly burned.  After several months in the hospital and much pain and suffering, she is finally able to be back to work at least part time. 

The couple's church baked hundreds of marvelous cookies.  We began by buying a box at the restaurant, then visited every shop in the building to fill it with cookies, a different kind of cookie at every stop.  It was my daughter-in-law's first visit to Shipshewana, and she had a great time exploring the different shops. 

Of course, no visit to the Merc would be complete without a ride on the carousel and a fresh, hot, soft pretzel at JoJo's.

 

Guy Thompson entertained us with a special performance of his wonderful marionettes.  A free-will donation was taken, and all proceeds donated to the benefit.  Guy and his wife, Christine, used to run the Mousetrap Puppet Theater on the top floor of the Merc, but I'm very sad to say economic considerations caused them to close the theater a couple of years ago.  He currently does shows at WanaWaves, the indoor water park in Shipshewana on Saturday evenings at 7:00.  Don't miss it when you're in town!

Mercantile merchants donated a portion of their sales for the day to help with the family's medical and personal expenses.  It's good to work in a small town, where people still care for and reach out to help one another.