Fall mushrooms/toadstools

We have had quite a warm and moist fall here in beautiful Southwest Michigan, this year. These 2 popped up under one of our Lilac bushes just the other day. I find the 'markings' on them so interesting, almost a feather look.

DH gets out and about a lot more than I do and he says that there have been a lot of really pretty ones this year.

I'm working on improving my health and hope that by spring, I will be well enough to join him again on all his walks in the woods and on the beach. I really have missed it.
On the knitting front:

I have cast on DD K #1's BD socks, and have about an inch of the ribbing done. Still need to cast on for DD K#2's BD socks. I hope to do that over the weekend.

I am nearly to the toes decreases on the boring gray SIL socks.

I was able to get about 6 little holiday color baby hats done for Parkland, yesterday. That was a nice little break from my regular knitting projects.

My own Opal socks are coming along. I only knit on them while I read my email. I have the ribbing done and about an inch of the cuff.
This is a picture of all the yarnie goodness that I got a few weeks ago from knitting friend Kathleen in Maine. In the back is some aran wt. Fleece Artist in a rich luscious brown. I just can't stop myself, I have to pet this yarn! In front of the is some absolutely gorgeous Kona Bay in 2 different shades of blue. The yellow/blue handpaint socks yarn is Fleece Artist, too. And there are various 'fun' type yarns, too. I'll be using them for hat and sock cuffs, to jazz things up for the teen and pre-teens at the orphanage in Akkol, Kazakhstan. This was such a wind-fall! Big <<>>>> for Kathleen. I have already combined the darker blue with the yellow/blue handpaint to make a pair of socks that will be on there way to Kaz in just a little over a week. Some teen is really going to have warm feet this winter, and New Years is going to be more special, because along with their usual little bag of candy, each child will be getting a nice warm pair of lovingly handknit wool socks. I wish I could be there to see them all receiving their socks and putting them on their feet. What joy there will be there that day!
I'll try to post a pic of them in a day or so. Gotta go knit, now. DJ