Spreading Gold

Yesterday, as a passenger on my way to the city, I couldn't capture the beauty of the goldenrod. I ended up with either an electric pole in the middle the picture or a blur of colour, but, as you can see from the pic, beauty can't be denied.

Usually I have my knitting in tow, but yesterday I was happy to look out at the wildflowers. In many areas the goldenrod was complimented by banks of purple wildflowers.

Before the golden phase--complete with a buzzing bee.

Milkweed and goldenrod. Too bad I can't include  the sweet, heady scent of the milkweed for you.

Fortunately, I've noticed that there are a few more wild bees around this year. Several years ago, I took an Apiculture course from Simon Fraser University.  As a child, I collected and released many bees so I was aware that they are engaging creatures, but I also learned, among many other things,  that they not only navigate by following landmarks, but that they also use the tilt of the sun and the magnetic field. In early spring they send out a scouts and the when these scouter bees return to the hive they dance out the directions to the source of nectar/pollen for the other worker bees. They have several dances in their repertoire. For the bees' sake and ours, we need to save these wee creatures. Please sign the petitions against the use of pesticides. On the needles...slow going.   One day, recently, I could have worn this hat; it was 12C or 53.6F.  Thankfully, it's warmer now. The hat is taking longer than I expected, but I am a few rounds closer to the finish line. Have fun this weekend! And thanks for reading...

Lunas at Large

I've always been fascinated by Luna Moths. Luckily, I've seen one, but only one in my life.  Recently, I've been drawing Luna and other huge moths, so imagine my surprise when I came across this beautiful Luna Rose Rose Mallow with blossoms reminiscent of a full moon. Gorgeous doesn't begin to cover it! 

On the needles and other things...

Enjoy the week...

Turning the Page

A perfect sized box for my small knitting projects. Another coat of Mod Podge (waiting a week because it's hot) and added distressing, to even out the look, should do.

I 'll admit that I felt a twinge of remorse when I turned the calendar page on July. It was a beautiful month, although I'm certain that August will be great too, summer is  zipping by. And so with brief thoughts of cooler weather, I've cast on the Jasmin scarf in worsted weight yarn.

Along the roadsides, Queen Anne's Lace, Brown-eyed Susans and clouds of Goldenrod are putting on a show, and O, yes, the peaches are delicious and for two nights in a row, the first of the corn crop bubbled on the stove. It's all good!

Enjoy...

Practical (,) Matters

Lately, on a few scattered mornings before dawn, one violent clap of thunder has been waking me up from a deep sleep. That first morning, in that brief moment of reverberating terror, I thought of Mars the God of War. (The mind does jump to conclusions.)  A brief burst of high wind and steely rain followed and then it was over. I opened the window, that morning, and while clinging to the sill for support, I heard the first hint of birdsong that as I listened grew increasingly louder, reassuring my body, with its shaky legs and racing heart, that it was okay to breathe.  

                                                                       * * *

When I started knitting again, I had visions of chic shawls such as The Rock Island twirling through my brain. That means I definitely wasn't thinking of about knitting dish cloths, but they are a quick, easy and practical knit. As you can see the top one has been well used and the bottom one I finished yesterday. What's so great about these cloths? Well, they hold up under a barrage of bleach and countless washings.

Here's my pattern. You are welcome to use it for personal use, and feel free knit these cloths to sell if you wish.

Uptown Posh Cloth☺

♦  CO 38 sts using cotton yarn with a 4.5 mm needle or a U.S. 7

Set up: 4 rows of seed st. as follows:

Row 1  K1, P1 across row
Row 2  P1, K1 across row 
Row 3  K1, P1 across row
Row 4  P1, K1 across row

Begin pattern.

Row 1   k1, p1, k1, p1 ( p4, k1, p1, k4 repeat 2 more times) k1, p1, k1, p1.
Row 2   p1, k1, p1, k1 ( p3, k2, p2, k3 repeat 2 more times) p1, k1, p1, k1.
Row 3   k1, p1, k1, p1 ( p2, k2, p1, k1, p2, k2 repeat 2 more times) k1, p1, k1, p1.
Row 4   p1, k1, p1, k1 ( p1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k1 repeat 2 more times) p1, k1, p1, k1
Row 5   k1, p1, k1, p1 ( k2, p3, k3, p2 repeat 2 more times) k1, p1, k1, p1.
Row 6   p1, k1, p1, k1 ( k1, p4, k4, p1 repeat 2 more times) p1, k1, p1, k1.

Continue in established pattern, 7 more times for a total of 8 times.

Next: 4 rows of seed st.

CO. To finish weave in tails. ♦

 On the drawing board ... ( Darkened so you can see it)  And now I can see a few changes I want to make.

Flora

 As you can see, the blooms of the Sumac match the colour of the Hap Shawl.

I'm on the home stretch on the shawl. Even though I calculated rather well, I thought, I ran out of yarn. O, me. O my!   If anyone happens to have a spare hank of Mithril colourway Sunset at Briere in their stash, I'd be delighted to buy it.

Common Milkweed. Befriend a Monarch Butterfly; if you have room, do plant a sprig.

I'd love to fill an old jug with Cattails.

Wild Tiger Lilies

Fringed Loosestrife

A fabulous tree that reminds me of  the trees that walk and talk in the movies.♥

Flowers speak the universal language.

"The Earth Laughs in Flowers."             -  Ralph Waldo Emerson Enjoy the week!

About Face

The call of the outdoors has kept me from my knitting. But since I'm in the mood to confess, my progress also creeps for another reason.

In the past, when I've decided on yarn for a project, I have always stuck with it. Although I have changed yarn before I began, I do not remember changing yarn once I've started to knit. But since I wasn't enjoying the feel and look of my last two yarn choices, I decided to change the yarn for the two shawls that I already have on the needles. Talk about living on the liberating edge!

                                          New yarn choice for the Hap shawl:  Mithril  

Last weekend I made another trip to the market and came away with a few small items. You may remember this picture from a previous post.

Well the above picture, although not as colourful and, sadly, missing the knitting, reminded me of this wee treasure.

Two old clock keys and a key for a child's toy (?)

I will use some of these old prints for decoupage.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the week!

What a Difference

 Organic ingredients include: kale, parsnips, celery, zucchini, cucumber, apple, yellow beet, peppers, lemon, parsley, and ginger. I generally use half a bunch of parsley, and if I can find organic cilantro, I add a bit of that too...

Shocking Kermit Green Once you find the proper amount of each ingredient to satisfy your taste buds, it's a tasty drink.

Fruit Smoothies another powerhouse drink. Great for breakfast.

Juicing is popular these days for good reason.  Benefits for the above ingredients are as follows: lemon purifies the blood and a two tablespoons of parsley fulfills your Vitamin C requirement for the day. Cilantro reportedly removes heavy metals from the body. Of course, kale is rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. Celery helps to lower blood pressure and the list of benefits goes on and on...

The above produce was for more than one person, but wine glass full is enough. I've been juicing since February and it has boosted my energy. Plus I've been told, it makes your eyes sparkle.
On the flip side, it quickly and completely flattens the kitchen, but I think it's worth it!


 Arrival...

 I'm certain I have enough knitting patterns to last me for two lifetimes.  But I couldn't resist this fabulous collection from NNK. Also enclosed another beautifully printed pattern for a cloche and this cute and clever gauge checker/bookmark.


 Happy Canada Day!!!

And finally to my great neighbours in the United States of America have a safe and Happy 4th!

Peaceful Steps

 The ferns are tall and beautiful now.

Many years ago, a random conversation brought to my ears the startling revelation that the woods are terrifying for some people. I laughed only because I thought the man that was telling me this was kidding, but it soon became apparent that he was not. Although he found the (dark) woods terrifying, he said he felt safe walking the streets in any city any time of the day or night!  And so I learned that what brings peace to one person does not necessarily bring peace to another.

Unlike my acquaintance, I grew up with the woods in my backyard, and so, for me, it was always a place of wonder, discovery, and a refuge. No doubt there were many dangers lurking, but I always felt safe. (Fearless youth.) These days coyotes have trotted all the way across the country, and on the way have bred with the timber wolf.  Perhaps if I had grown up knowing that they were a part of the landscape, I'd feel more at ease. Of course, animal attacks of any kind are not prevalent, but depending on where I am going and how far I'm hiking it's probably wise (both then and now) to buddy up before starting out.

Blue Flag Iris

Yellow Flag Iris

 A few lines from Robert Frost...

                                                The woods are lovely, dark and deep,   

                                                But I have promises to keep,   

                                                And miles to go before I sleep,   

                                                And miles to go before I sleep.

  Making...

The State of Things

Since I'm a fan of Downton Abbey, I thought I'd make this Edwardian Kitchen Garden Cake. After reading the recipe, I discovered the cake is salt free and vanilla free. Not the type of recipe that I am used to but I decided to forge ahead.  Missing a springform pan, I used a quiche dish.  
What a moist, tasty cake it turned out to be! As you can see the icing sugar got away from me. (In the scheme of things what's a few hundred extra calories?)


On the needles...

Not a lot of progress because a Diva house guest kept me up for three nights running. And after being here more than a week, she still refuses to shut it down at a decent time. She stands outside the bedroom door and yells and she doesn't care to sleep with anyone and wants what she wants now. 

 And so of  late, even though the pattern is easy, it's been knit five rows and take out six or seven.

  Thankfully Whoo, my morale boosting knitting buddy recently arrived to save the day. You can find one here.

Now without further adieu allow me introduce Diva Sadie, the tortoise shell Tabby cat.

                             Wearing her Kitty caps, Sadie looks self-satisfied and innocent. 
 Caps or no caps the mat is now in shreds, but the lady of the house said, that's okay as long as I am happy. (K, I freely admit it:  I find decorum tedious, but when it suits my fancy, I can be truly loveable...sigh...)

 

Yo, you..yea you... sup with this tiny stool? This dang place is going to the dogs.