We are having a great time, just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company. Last time we were in Gatlinburg, we planned and planned what we did, moving from one attracting to the next. So last year, we did almost everything we would have wanted to do. This year, it’s nice to just casually plan our day.

One thing we didn’t get the chance to do last year was to attend a dinner and movie show. We did that this time, wanting to make sure we did one fun thing while here. We went to the Lumberjack Feud and it was an amazing time. Hilarious commentary along with amazing stunts. There were lumberjacks, lumberjills, people dressed as bears, and dogs entertaining us while we enjoyed a meal of grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, macaroni and cheese, and beans, with a jar of strawberry shortcake for dessert and a mason jar to drink our drinks out of. I loved it.

Today, we spent most of the day in the room. And it was great. It is just nice to not be in our town, in our house. I’ve enjoyed lounging and watching cable — something that only happens when I go on vacation, really. I did bring Game of Thrones to read on, but I’ve barely done that.
I have been getting some knitting done, though.

First is the seed stitch slouchy hat I started earlier this week. This is for a friend of mine and this is my third attempt at a pattern. Since it is a dark shade, I wanted to give it a nice texture. My original plan was a nice cable pattern I had in my head, but I scratched that idea. It was killing my hands and made me not want to work on the project. It has been too long since I’ve cabled something, though, and I’d like to do that again sometime soon.

So after two scrapped attempts at different cable hats, I had decided to just do a plain hat. But I just wasn’t happy with that. Then, one day, it hit me: Seed stitch. I’ve never made anything with this stitch before but I knew that it made a wonderful texture that would be great for this. And I am enjoying it very much.

I bought extra yarn for the reggae socks months ago out of fear of running out. I had no reason to do that, though. So I’ve had this skein of sock yarn laying around, trying to figure out what to make with it and who for. I had a recipient lined up, but that has changed. I decided that I would be selfish and make something for me.

I have been wanting a pair of chevron socks for a while now. The yarns I’ve tried in the past just haven’t worked with it, though. So far, I’m happy with this. I started this today while watching some stuff on The History Channel. I’ve made decent progress considering how little I’ve really worked on this. I’ve made progress since that last picture, as well.

Along with those two, I’ve completed two rows of my Boneyard shawl and balled up the second skein needed for the entrelac scarf. I plan on working on that some tomorrow.

I’ve also found a yarn shop close to us that I’m hoping to get to visit before we leave on Monday. I’ve only been to two yarn shops. I do believe I need a bigger number….