My friend, Stephanie, gave me a copy of Elizabeth Peter's book "Crocodile on the Sandbank" to read a few weeks ago.  I have finished it and really enjoyed the read.  I usually stick to classics, sci-fi/fantasy stuff, or nonfiction, but this book was right up my alley.  Victorian times, Egypt, archaeology, and a strong, intelligent female protagonist.  I didn't know this when I read it, but this is the first in a series of books concerning the adventures of Amelia Peabody.  I think these will become my fun reads to break up my usual fare. Like a roll of Smarties.  Luckily, Stephanie has many of the books, so I can continue to borrow from her!

We don't watch TV much.  Not usually.  But for the second half of the month of October we have had to make some exceptions.  We have been having our own Monsterfest.  We watch old monster movies almost every night, and listen to a few Halloween-ish Old Time Radio Shows.  Since October 12th we have watched the following:

The Lodger (1926 Alfred Hitchcock silent)

The Atomic Brain (1964)

Mystery Science Theater 3000 - The Screaming Skull

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (I highly recommend this Vincent Price film)

Dementia 13 (Francis Ford Copolla's directorial debut - 1963)

Phantom from Space (1953 B-grade, gotta love it)

Scared to Death (Bela Lugosi)

Werewolf of London (1935 Henry Hull & Warner Oland - I love this one)

The Crawling Eye (One of our favorites)

The Last Man on Earth (Vincent Price - good idea, disappoointing ending)

The Mummy (1932 Boris Karloff)

 

We've also listened to "The Bed Sheet", and episode of "The Black Museum"

 

So we have eight days left and 5 movies, 2 TV shows, and at least 2 radio shows to go.

 

Some of these we've seen before, others are new to us.  I'll report on more as Halloween draws closer!

Here's a picture of the circular shawl.  Please note that I have knitted much more than you see in the picture,  It's just tucked under on the circular needle.  I only have 20-some rows to go and then I've got to figure out how I will end it.

 

While waiting for the 40" circular needle I need for hubby's socks, I've also begun knitting this 1962 Weskit.  I found the yarn for this many months back when Patternworks was having a sale.  The color is "Deep Pine"  It's exactly how I pictured the vest in the picture looking.  I'm just a few inches along on the back.  The rest of the yarn for my shawl came in today, though, so I'll be putting it to the side for later.

I love the way this ended up looking from the back.  The lace inset makes great horizontal stripes that become vertical on the sleeves.  Here's a view of the front:

I also like the way the collar goes around my neck.  Overall I'm pretty happy with it.  This was my first project that I designed.  There was a lot of ripping until I found that lace pattern I liked, but I am glad I found this one.  The alpaca feels so soft.  It's great to wear with the strappy tops.

 

I've fianlly decided that I am ready to begin again on a pair of socks for Steve.  I went to my lys to get some needles for them and they told me about "The Magic Loop" technique (booklet published by Fiber Trends).  I took a 40" circ. needle home and tried it out. WOW.  I thought that using two circulars was easy.  This is easier.  I knit up a test swatch (knit in the round) using 20 stitches on size 2 needles in no time.  I wish I had known about this long before now.  I don't think I will ever purchase any more dpns.

 

So as soon as I finish the circular shawl - only 20+ rows to go - I will begin on Steve's socks.  I've done most of the prep work.  Maybe I can have them done by Thanksgiving.