Confession

It's been sixteen days since my last cup of coffee...............
My acupuncturist and health coach Dr. Martin has been after me for three months to give up coffee. WHAT Doc ? I'm half Swedish and I live in the PNW ! You're killing me here. It's sacrilege to even broach the subject ! For the greater good I acquiesced, but I sure do miss a good hot cup of coffee, especially on a cold and snowy day.












Spring Hope (A Rispetto)

As sky turns blue in early spring
with warming sun of nature's call
the earth in thaw begins to sing
and rumbles sprouts both big and small.

When first they come full bursting through,
all bold and green in their debut;
such innocence of fresh new life
brings hope to man through earthly strife.

Pamela A. Lamppa


Cindy and I went to Karen's for a knit and spin night a few weekends ago. Cindy had shaved the heads of a few of her yearling miniature horses and saved the hair. It's very soft and downy. Karen is spinning some here. It might have to be blended with wool for optimum results. Fun though to think we might have mini yarn to knit with.











Ryan's lastest oil painting is of a Pintail. He enters the Junior Federal Duck Stamp contest every year but this will be his last. Perhaps he will continue in the Adult Division. Wow, for a kid who doesn't spend much time working on his craft he does pretty well.

Spring has sprung

In Life's Garden

Count your garden by the flowers
Never by the leaves that fall;
Count your days by golden hours;
Don't remember clouds at all;
Count your nights by stars not shadows
Count your life by smiles not tears.
And to bring you joy this day
Count your age by friends not years.
Author Unknown







What a life !! Betsy relaxing with Ry. She is quite the snugga puppy.
She and I are soul mates as we love to eat too much, expend little energy, and relax on the comfy couch !

















My second attempt at spinning using the Merino roving given to me by Heidi at the Artful Ewe when I bought my Kromski wheel.










The 2009 Nordic Knitting Conference is in the beginning stages. Teachers lined up so far are Pat Brunner, Beth Brown-Reinsel, Nancy Bush, Marianne Isager, and Katarina Brieditis. This is very exciting !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nordic Knitters Swap

I joined Nordic Knitters on Ravelry. They are nice enough to let Nordic wannabe's participate ! A swap was organized and I was given a partner in Norway. Tone sent me these wonderful items. I LOVE these shades of blue Rauma. Milk chocolate is my favorite, and the buttons are beautiful. I hope your package gets there soon. It's been great writing back and forth.
Thanks Tone !







Is it a blessing or a curse to have someone in your knitting group who hand dyes roving ? I'm putting her sons thru college at this rate ! She's even done custom colors for me. Thanks Kristen !
She sells these plus handspun yarn thru Etsy as
Allspunup
These remind me of glowing embers.





Not much knitting getting done. Don't know why I'm having this lackadaisical spirit.
The rain has returned. Spring has begun though as the frogs are singing at night and the bulbs are just pushing their way out of the cold and damp soil.









Anna and Marc at a 1920's themed birthday party for friend Elizabeth. They were really getting into the spirit !

The sun feels so good

Even for a person raised here, this winter has been very hard. Never ending rain and cloudy skies in which the damp and the gray permeated everything. Yesterday was heavenly. I had forgotten what that glowing orb in the sky was ! Went about the yard taking pictures of the light and shadows.

"Awakening"
Hark the awakening of sounds!
The gentle humming of bumblebees,
birds singing a magnificent chorus,
a multitude of sonnets to the sky.

Creatures bathing in the golden rays,
Sweet smells filling the pure air,
erasing the harshness of winter.

Replacing those endless days
of cold darkness and longing
with soft touches and mild melodies.
Heralding pleasure to all senses.

By Rynya
(edited)







Hard to see the view from our porch in this picture but on a clear day we can see White Horse, Three Fingers, and Pilchuck peaks in their shining white mantles.



The boys meet their new neighbor. Sherman has high hopes for a blossoming romance !
Where's the step stool ?

Purchases from the Madrona Fiber Arts Retreat Marketplace. Had a wonderful time with Charisa, Linda, and Kristin shopping there last weekend. So much lovely fiber and great company !

Easier to care for than an actual Angora rabbit but just as lovely to pet !
Local hand spun from Kelley's Klann




Hand dyed roving from Heidi of

The Artful Ewe

BFL







Gorgeous Silk/Merino in which the colors just glow. It's practically a work of art !
Natural light











With flash








Long Cut Scarf pattern from Ravelry using my Etsy purchased Angora/Wool thick and thin by Robin Dodge.

Yesterday I went to use my gift certificate from Karen at Country Yarns of Snohomish.
Chose this Wool in Woods Cameo "Rosebud" It has a lovely drape to it. This company was bought out by Cherry Tree Hill and alot of their yarns are no longer available :(
Thanks Karen !!

My So Called Scarf

I jumped on the "My So Called Scarf" bandwagon along with many other Ravelers. It's a great and easy pattern from

Sheep in the City
First I tried using CPY Taos but decided I liked the look of the Manos shown in the original. The Taos will make a lovely hat instead.








I purchased this Manos Silk Blend, with this scarf in mind, on a day trip with Karen C.. She brought me to a great little shop in Bellingham called

Apple Yarns
It has a fantastic selection. Couldn't walk out of there without buying something ! I like the way the color mottles throughout giving it a more woven look.


Thanks for the socks !











Besides Ravelry, I love cruising thru

Etsy Shops "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade"
Found this wool/angora handspun by Robin Dodge of One Sheep Hill. It's called "Black Ice" The color reminds me of the glacial ice in the background.


Picture courtesy of

Natures Mighty Pictures
Iceland


From my stash.

Schaefer Elaine "Indira Gandhi"








Farmhouse Lumpy Bumpy "Rhythm and Blues"




With three dogs this rings quite true !

OMG

Charisa organized a fabulous train trip to Portland to visit three yarn shops, Powells Bookstore, and everything in between !!! There was a full train car of happy, happy, knitters and on the way back shoppers !! She did a great job and it was the most fun I've had in a long time. She arranged a 20% discount at two stores, and a free skein of yarn at the other. There was no sales tax to boot !! Scones, tea, and hot cider were set out at my personal favorite, Dublin Bay. They have a wonderful selection, great ambiance, and very kind and courteous staff.
(Except for the Koigu wall all store photos are courtesy of the respective shops)






The famous wall of Koigu at Knit Purl.


Knit Knot is a charming small shop which included local handspun.








I could write all day about this wonderful trip. Can't wait until next year !!Thanks Charisa !!

My train buddies in the rear of the car. Aren't we glowing ?

Charisa, the wunderkind, on the left.














I should be on a yarn diet but I couldn't resist this Sea Silk at Dublin Bay. It is gorgeous !!
















Saturday was spent with friend Karen in Edmonds. We had lunch first at Chantrelles where we both had the world's messiest sandwiches !!
Afterwards we went to Spin A Yarn and perused their vast selection.




She gave me this absolutely fabulous gift basket as a belated Xmas present. Thank you Karen for your generosity and thoughtfulness. It was like Xmas morning all over again !

Christmas Fairy

The Christmas Fairy came again this year to wrap our porches with aromatic fir, cedar, hemlock, and holly. I cried when I came home and found our home festooned with such greenery. Thank you Cindy !!





Anna and friends went cross country skiing a few weeks ago in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.





With long time friend Dustin










We went to Cindy's last weekend to see the minis. Tess, the "blonde", with a happening doo !







Sammy and Spotman nose to nose.






Started Barbro's Star of the Forest Mitten pattern using Lorna's Laces "Blackwatch" and Toots LeBlanc Angora/Wool. Had to rip it out as it was too big :(
I LOVE the way the Toots LeBlanc yarn feels !