Short Story Long

Ten years ago, I started blogging as an often-lonely stay-at-home-mom with very small children, looking to connect with other quilters and moms.  Over the years, I have made a few steadfast blog friends, was inspired to improve my photography, and give knitting a try!  Wow, sometimes the path of life takes a huge curve that you don't see coming.  I would never have anticipated how learning to knit would change my life.  As my kids have grown, as I've spent more time in my garden, and as I have become, let's be honest, completely consumed by knitting , my blogging has become hit and miss.  As I saw favorite blogs post their last farewells, I was reluctant to close my own, even when I had not much to say.  The shuttering of some favorite sites can probably also be contributed in part to the use of many other social media platforms, which left blogging in the dust.   However, the last two years of social media has left me completely burnt ou...

 The word is out: we have a new bird feeder!  The cats are also enjoying the bird feeder - I think.   Looking forward to fun things this week.  If I end up with some pictures, I'll share.  It's been, mostly, a mild and sunny winter.  What are you doing to fight off the winter blues?

Today, I discussed with a friend how fast the summer goes, especially when trying to make sure the kids enjoy it.  Where does the time go?  It's the second summer in a row wherein I have spent much of the time with an unfinished project that I thought would "only take a week or so."  I've been repainting my shed, and facing the fact that I am indeed ten years older than the last time I painted it.  I can't remember if I painted with a roller or paintbrush originally, but this time I decided a paintbrush would keep the integrity of the original texture.  I can't do much more than a couple of hours at a time, and it needs three coats - one primer and then two color.  And the only part that really needed a fresh coat was the door! but I was tired of the old color. Now I wish I had a picture for you, but maybe when I finish.   In the meantime, I am still chipping away at family lineage.  My own family is quite large, laterally speaking, fo...

Several Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) butterflies have stopped in our garden on their migration path this year.  Isn't it magical?!

Don't you love a good dew-covered spiderweb?

Early morning; still learning. 

I do know it's been awhile, we've just had a busy summer.  Nice busy, lots of travel, family, company, knitting, swimming, gardening.  A few photos from our summer... pelicans in La Jolla the deep end!   I was invited to a very nice tea party...   sunset over the Pacific of course, some knitting:  a sweater for me,  and lots of samples, fun stuff, gifts!!   More soon, I promise!

For the 113-in-2013 photo challenge, I did not manage to get a great shot of each item that I was pleased with.  However, it did inspire me to get out and take pictures of things I would otherwise pass by, and that's the reason I do it.  Here are three of my favorites, all shots which I actually took specifically for this challenge. #5 one word #41 trees in a row #99 somewhere to sit You can see the whole set here .  I'm pleased that I got as many as I did - 74.  Better than the previous year.  I signed up for the next group, 114 in 2014.  I'm not sure how much I like this list.  In the past year, I found my self struggling to go out and shoot things, like "a baby picture of yourself."  I just don't find much room for creativity there, unless I spend an inordinate amount of time coming up with a crazy concept.  On the other hand, I know it stretches my thinking, and I enjoy the camaraderie of the group.   One...

Rounding out the end of December so that I can move on to other things...! One of the things we did in December that I enjoyed, was getting up early a couple of mornings for some frosty, wintry pictures.  It's cold; people complain, but then the fresh air takes over and we see magical things.  Unfortunately, we did not have a white Christmas, even at my parents' in the mountains; the frost and snow was all gone by then.  

A garden with bees and pumpkins and birds! And of course, some knitting.

there was a little parade, and all the neighbors came out to watch!

In yesterday's post, I forgot to include pictures of some others who are enjoying our sunflowers!

Today, we went to the Colorado Renaissance Festival.  It was a hot day but we had fun.  Personally, I like being in a community, if a temporary one, where there's such a high percentage of people who know how to make things!!  I tried to travel light and only took a short lens, so I didn't get many pictures of people and costumes.  I did take a few pictures though, here are some from the day.  Can you guess what they are?  Answers at the bottom.   From top to bottom: an astrolabe , a hammock in the making, an elephant trunk, a barn owl, and finally, the smiling camel who gave two of my boys a ride.