I just returned from 5 days on Oak Island with my husband’s family, 14 of us in all! Other than my youngest being sick most of the week, we enjoyed lovely weather, good company and delicious food (we all take turns cooking the evening meal and trying to outdo one another:). The week was filled with building sand castles, swimming in the ocean, the women taking up hooks and yarn, and the men building a trebuchet (see: Trebuchet Tales). I started reading one of my favorite books, A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle, and knitted and crocheted to my heart’s content. I didn’t even mind so much hanging out with our daughter while she vegged out with a high fever…we could cuddle while I knitted these Starfish Purses. The pattern by Sue Flanders is found in one of my absolute favorite books titled America Knits. She also has a starfish tam and a beach tunic adorned with starfish and a sand castle. I thought the pattern looked simple, but as I started I realized there was a bit more to it. Once I figured out the Dec2K stitch, it went fairly fast. My oldest daughter wanted one too, but with a short handle and in her favorite color, orange. The other three were made in the little cousin’s favorite colors as well and seemed to be a hit once I finished. I also worked on the “block” blanket and came home with lots of the various sized blocks to add to my pile. I can’t wait to see what my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law continue to make…they caught on so quickly to making simple washcloths with cotton yarns. I always end the week feeling like it went by way too fast, but I’m looking forward to next year’s trip to Oak Island already!