Sunday wonders - G

G is for Green.

Green is probably the main color of the West Coast where I live.  We have green all year round but there are times when the greens are especially beautiful...or unusual...or useful.

We live in a rain forest which is immediately apparent when we go walking through the mountain trails.  Look at the moss covering this tree.  It reminds me of the fuzz on a deer's antlers.

The brightest green these deer found in this spot was the paint on this wheelbarrow.  The fading green of the pea-vines caught their interest, though.

These playing fields are very green...

There are summer greens...

And early morning greens burnished by the rising sun.

Some greens are not leaves...

There is a beautiful tender green under the peeling bark of the arbutus tree.

My daughter's garden was crammed full of different greens last summer...

However,  Nature's garden produces my favorite flower with it's edible green leaves.  How clever it is to have so many greens which look good with any color.  And how sensible to have so many green that we can eat.  Now I can't wait for spring - and that first dandelion.

Saturday Stash

I've had a bit of a hiatus from blogging.  Well, no, that's not true.  I've been visiting everyone but I've just not felt that I had anything to say.  So this past week I've been knitting, of course, and reading.  Reducing those stashes takes time.  The pile of books is dwindling down.  Do you have books in you TBR pile that keep being left at the bottom?  This should tell me something, I think, probably that I should be sending those books to the thrift shop - nope, can't do it yet.

 My yarn stash is going down as I make quick progress on the Midnight Rose tunic.  Here it is almost to the armholes.  I can't get the color right - even outside the flash insists on going off.  And no flash is just as bad.  I gave up.   So just imagine a richer, darker version.  This is a fantastic pattern.  Very easy and all in the round.  

And, remember I gave myself permission to use new yarns.  No I haven't bought any yet.  I'm using one of my gift yarns...I guess when they come as gifts they become part of the stash, right?  Anyway, this was such a pretty yarn and it feels so good - definitely qualifies as a yummy yarn.   The colors remind me of how the desert in the Southwest looks after the hot sun has set.  The bright colors all kind of soften and blend.  The shapes of the rocks become more rounded but you can still see the textures and details.  So, all me to introduce the Desert Shadows Scarf.  This is my own pattern so I can't link for you.  I'll publish it on Ravelry when it's done. 

And, the freezer got reorganized this week.  And all the toys we've had for the grandkids were edited and organized.  Everything seems to be a stash around here.

I seem to be creeping up on my 1000th post...I can't quite believe that I've had that much to say.  In celebration - and amazement - I'd like to have some kind of giveaway.  Stay tuned.

Chattin'

It may be a new year but it's still winter.  This morning, I'm looking forward to a nice cozy chat with everyone over at Patrice's. 

Once again, I seem to be late...there's a lot of people enjoying the chat today.  What are they saying?  Let's find out...

What's your favorite kind of tree?  My favorite trees are always deciduous.   I love trees that have seasons.  Where I live, near the mountains in Vancouver, we are always surrounded by evergreens.  They are beautiful, often majestic but their seasonal changes are not too noticeable.  I love the changing colors of leaves and even the fact that they fall off leaving the tree bare.  And then those tender green leaves that I know will return.   I prefer a tree that provides dappled rather than solid shade in the summer.  In my own yard, my favorite tree - and we have several - is the star magnolia which is covered in furry little buds right now.  Inside are the white blooms waiting for spring.  

How did you celebrate the New Year? Not much of a party girl really.  My idea of ringing in the New Year is to begin knitting a new sweater for someone.  That has become kind of a tradition for me.  Otherwise, it's a quiet night with just the two of us.  

Do you have any family traditions for the New Year? Same answer as above. 


I'm so glad I____________ in 2011.  Was able to spend two weeks in the high desert experiencing the Grand canyon and all that magnificent scenery.  This had never been high on my wish list but I'm so glad it was at the top of  someone's else's and I got to go, too.

Did you have a nickname as a child?  When I was very small, my Dad started calling me Lucy.  This was because I always took my shoes and socks off.  There was a song called "Put Your Shoes on Lucy"

with the last  line: "Put your shoes on, Lucy, you're a big girl now".  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did remembering my dad singing it to me. The nickname stuck for a lot of years. 

That's about it for me this week.  In my mind, this conversation always includes my sister, now.  She follows my blog and enjoys my answers to the day's questions.   She finds that she would have answered many of the questions exactly the same as I do.  Unless it's something about our parents...we're far enough apart in age that our parents were different people to each of us. 

See you all next week...I'm still dancin' in my bare feet.  You can dance on over to Patrice's place at Everyday Rurality.  You'll have a good time, guaranteed.

Sunday Wonders - F

F is for Future.

There is nothing so exciting to me as the future.  I love the new calendar with all those little squares just waiting for me to fill them in. I'm eager to walk down an unknown trail and I always want to see what's around the next corner.

What will be this year's passion?  I am still going to be knitting...and some folks have made sure I will have some new - and very attractive - yarns in my stash.  Thanks to family in Nelson and Lethbridge - you know what I like!

I would like to spend some time learning how to use the drop spindle.  I've had this one for a number of years and I think it's high time I started getting serious.  I'm sure it will be very helpful when I finally get going with my wheel.

I have taken the pledge on yarn.  But that's not my only stash.  I have wool for my rug hooking which has been waiting for me to come back to it.  I also have quilting cotton which would like to be used.  This is one of two cupboards that keep it all pretty tidy.  I don't think I'm a hoarder, do you?

So no resolutions.  Just a few little things I can take with me on the journey along the new path of the coming year. Here's to 2012!