Zeneedle...needleart as life

Spring is Here - Walk With Me Wednesday

It's finally here and it's finally stuck in place, I do believe…I do.  There may be days when the cold returns again, but that doesn't mean it's able to hang around. Spring rules from here on out and the pictures from a walk around the neighborhood tells the story.

For the next several months any pictures of the mountains will contain green trees. No bones of branches, no skeletal remains, the trees will wear a lush coat of green.

Every color of flower imaginable is now if full bloom.  It's so wonderful to see the bright yellows, purples, reds, and pink of short lived flowers.  The Japanese maple on the corner of my building shimmers with the bright red of new leaves and a canopy of pink pom-poms is filling in above my head as I walk under a favorite tree. 

The flowers become so puffy and full that as the canopy fills in it casts a pink shadow which is really quite amazing.

The lilacs were slightly damaged by the last snow, but enough of the blossoms have opened to scent the air as we walk by.  If that isn't the scent of true spring, nothing is.

Socks have always been my thing, but since the Sock Mojo is on hiatus, I've become a scarf knitter.  It isn't that I don't like scarves, I'd just rather wear a piece of lace to keep me warm, but there are so many wonderful patterns and it feels right to have a scarf on my needles, just now.  Persephone was so much fun that I cast on for Japanese Vines and Lace Ribbon. The colors of Japanese Vines reminds me of the colors of Spring and so it has become my fall back knitting.  She grows daily and we're working together towards blossom time.  The Artyarn Ultra Merino 4 is soft, squooshy and fun to knit, plus it came from my stash...always a good thing.

Your Help Needed!

Due to circumstances beyond control, Claudia and her good man will not be able to ride their tandem bike in this years MS ride.  However, that doesn't mean we can't raise enough dough, as in $$$$, to make next year another #1 year for them! Let's do it folks. Claudia will start the prize parade on her blog today and you can go HERE to get the donations rolling!

October - Ten of a Dozen - Walk With Me Wednesday Edition

There are many reasons why October is my favorite month, including weather that is temperate, unsettled, interesting, always beautiful and the rich colors, hidden textures and the feral smell of the earth....ah, talk a deep breath.

We slowly walk behind Moxie as he needs to stop and smell all the new, unusual smells of the season.  The leaves have just started to change, but golden cottonwood leaves dot the lawn, large marigolds glow, still untouched by frost, and warm-hued, mutli-colored leaves on waning vines dance between bare branches.  The dappled sunlight has a golden glow as it adorns the leaves.


Hidden in a thicket we find an abandon nest, a branch covered with a mossy green, and the last of the wildflowers.

As we arrive home from our leisurely, delightful afternoon walk, we see our mountain has come alive with color...it's quite a view.

Fall is such a beautiful time of year.  If only its golden glow would last a little longer...sigh.

I've listed my favorite things about October:

• Long shadows and golden light
• Mild days, cool nights
• Baseball playoffs
• The the clear blue sky as blank canvas for clouds formations
• A wool shawl is a perfect outdoor companion
• Walking through leaves and hearing the rustling, crunching sounds they make
• Socks can be perfect one day and sandals the next
• The colors are rich, warm, and earthy
• It's time to wear warm wool sweaters!

Do you have something you'd like to add?  What are your favorite things about fall?

Walkin' Round the Farm

Moxie, Smith and I took a quick walk around Wheeler Farm last Sunday.  It has changed over the last month as the trees have leafed out completely and the gardens and fields are being planted.  The stream (Big Cottonwood) is high and the gosling's can be seen in great number. The hens (turkey and chicken) are brooding, the sheep and pigs have had babies (sorry no pictures), but this time we visited the horses and watched the cows and geese feed in the same field.

As we were leaving I ran into this piggy and snapped a picture just for Ann. Ann, are you reading skimming my blog today?

Knitting has been cruizin' around here....the back of FJ is growing quickly...it's so dang easy and I'm loving the color and the yarn.  I'm still trying to decide which length I want for the sleeves. Why is the office freakin' freezing in the summer? Why do my office mates think it needs to be 60 in the summer and 80 during the winter?  This little cardi will be just the thing to protect my shoulders and upper arms from the chill, therefore, a concerted effort is going into its process.

Last week the Posy Sock Sack I had ordered from Knitnana arrived.  She had a fabric on hand that was just my style and she made up the bag very quickly.  I love the way the single strap slips over my shoulder and the inside pockets are perfect for needed tools and extra needles.  Nice work, Sallee. I'm going to enjoy this bag very much.

Moxie Takes Me for a Walk

The blooming season is in full swing and since Moxie loves to take me on nice long walks, I thought you'd enjoy coming along. Behind our complex is a very looong alley. At the beginning it has beautiful dappled sunshine, but it opens up into full sun about a quarter of the way along. 

After we pass the abandon house (hidden by brambles) and the high school, where the grrls soccer and softball teams are practicing, we walk behind a neighborhood.  Some of the houses are beautiful and some have grown rather shabby, but this one always makes me go "WTF?". I truly have no idea where the other half went.

As soon as we're out of the alley and on to a main street the area becomes more colorful.  Look at the nice big Red Bud tree in full bloom.  A short distance away is the elementary school and behind it is a great mountain view.   Once we round the corner and head up 'our' street, there are more houses with flowers and small enclaves of neighborhoods. 

I have no idea why a bathroom sink is sitting in middle of that yard.

By this time Moxie is rather warm and stops in every shade patch he can find.  The last few days have been very warm (a record 89 on Sunday!), but that hasn't stopped our walks.  Once we see the big pine trees we know we're almost home.

Once inside the complex there is much more shade and many more flowers.

The playground (a place were a few photo shoots have taken place) has a secret that is very well kept.  On the big rock, is a very distinct heart shape.  It may be something few people have noticed, but I love to make sure it is still there each time I pass.

Just past the heart is a favorite spot at this time of year only.   Walking under this ceiling of pink always brings a smile to my face.

Once again we are back where we started, our front door, and waiting nearby is Mz. Wildwoman with her crooked smile and a happy dance...

and Moxie is ready for a nap.

Walk With Me (and Moxie) Wednesday

One of the very first things I do, when I get home from work,  is to take Moxie for a walk. Sometimes we take a quick short walk so he can do what a dogs gotta do after being cooped up in the house all day and other days we walk through the neighborhood so Mox can greet everyone he meets.  But, last Friday, a beautiful day after many dreary days, we went on a special outing.  Wheeler Farm is very near our home and we've been there a time or two. The mountain views are so spectacular and, with the blue sky, it felt like the right place to be. 

As we arrived, a quick look at the barn brought a smile to my face.  How fun to see that it was dressed and ready for February. The ground was mostly covered with snow, but the paths, horse paths really, were very muddy.  The air was chilly, despite the sun, and I was grateful for the gauntlets I wore, but wished for my glove.  I had filled my pockets with bags (for the unmentionable we couldn't leave behind) and left my gloves at home. Regardless of cold fingers, it felt good to be out in the clean and crisp air.

 

Moxie ran and played in the snow, while I  listened to the noisy chatter of ducks and magpies.  I also heard a Red-winged Blackbird gurgle as we walked beneath the barren branches of a tree. I stopped to see if he could be seen and there he was...right at the top.  Without his song I never would have known he was there.

The landscape was wintry and still asleep, so looking up, at the mountains, provided the best views.  It was so wonderful to breath deeply, feel the sun and walk with my eyes caressing the blue sky and mountain peaks.  Oh, how I had missed them the last few weeks.

Today is a very special day.  Sister Neena is 40 years old  young!  I have counted every way I know how to make sure this is true.  She is 17 years younger than I, there are six years between my brother and Neena and he just turned 46.  She was born in 1967.  See?...no matter how you look at it it all adds up to 40 years.  May you have a fabulous 40th year, Neena.  It's not too bad from this side of the hill.  Love you!

Susan, is having a devil of a time with her bloglines feed.  Make sure you check out her NEW blog  and the cool new 'seriatim' sock pattern she's sharing. Over the next week she'll reveal the steps, so make sure you check everyday!

Walk With Me...

A short distance from our home is a working farm, Wheeler Farm, which is now a County Park & Recreation area.  The old farm house stands surrounded by several acres, a few out buildings and a new barn.  Big Cottonwood Creek runs through the land which is criss-crossed with dozens of pathways.  Smith and I took Moxie to the park for a walk on Sunday and we all had a grand time. It was one of the beautiful days of winter when the sky is clear blue, the temps chilly, but not too, and the landscape is covered with a coating of white.

From every trail you can see breathtaking views of the mountains. The stream and forested land give the feeling of being away from it all, in a secluded quiet place, of solitude.  It was very calming to walk through the maze of trails.

It was also enjoyable to feel the cold air nip our cheeks, while Moxie ran and jumped through the snow.  He had a wonderful time leading the way. We'll be returning to this park in all seasons to enjoy its calming quiet and miles of trails.

The farm was the perfect place to show off my first finished item of 2007...Bejeweled!  She is a perfect scarf for the cold days of winter and the yarn felt so warm and snuggly against my neck.

The yarn is from Norma's Vermont co-op and it was very stiff and rustic, but when washed and blocked it softened beautifully.  The yarn is full of texture, but shows off the lace pattern in Bejeweled to full advantage. The warmeth is very welcome around my neck and comfortable to wear.  This pattern could be knit in nearly any yarn with fabulous results. Something soft and drapy, such as a kid mohair, cahmere or angora would work just as well.  Thank you Shobhana for a wonderful, wearable scarf pattern!

This post is dedicated to you Eastern folk who feel like you've moved to the tropics.

Walk with Moxie this Wednesday

Hi I'm Moxie!  Please come and walk with me in the cool urban park that's in our neighborhood. It's full of places to sniff, pee and play.  Oh, that's Murphy on the bridge with me...just ignore him he's so slow and old.  Let's GO!

Oooo, look up! The sky is blue and the birds are so noisy!  I like to be noisy too, but no one is in the park so I can bark at them.  Oh, look over THERE!  I love this path covered over with leaves 'cause there is so much good stuff to sniff.  There is mud to play in too, but Mom and Dad won't let me off the leash.  In fact Mom is scolding me for running ahead and making her camera shake when she tries to take a picture of me.

The area is a small wetland and it's full of old trees and a little summer stream.  We come here often in the summer and it's one of my favorite places.  I can walk fast and go right past the things that don't smell, but Mom likes to look at the views.   

The old trees make shade in the summer, but right now they have no leaves and look a little spooky. I'm a bit of a scardy-dog and strange things make me run with my tail down. I really didn't like climbing this tree, but Dad thought I looked cute.  I couldn't hold still as it was a little scary.
Mom  kept stopping to take close ups of things she thought were interesting and had good 'texture'.  I don't know what that is and I just wanted to run up ahead and  have a good time. 

We won't come back here in the winter, as the path isn't clear, so I will miss walking in this park until next spring.  I think there should be more urban parks in the suburbs. Don't you?

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving weekend from me, Mom and Dad, oh OK, and Murphy, too.