smatterings

my neck of the woods

Last evening a neighbor and I were talking on the phone about wildlife on and around the pond, some of the challenges I've had lately concerning such wildlife and that there was quite obviously a flip side to the work, that being the fun of hosting such wildlife.  Ahem.  I mentioned that one of my favorite displays this time of year is the Canada Geese parents giving water take-off / lift-off lessons to the goslings.  They have SO MUCH FUN!!  So do I.  This morning, as usual, I took my first cup of coffee out on the deck to take stock of things and wake up. There they were, down by the 'beach', a place I really do try to discourage them from frequenting.  It makes a mine field where I'd like to go barefoot if it ever gets above the 60's.  Three adults were bathing, while the fourth stood on the raft doing lookout duty.  This year there are 13 goslings amongst the two couples.  That's a lot of herding.  I am constantly amazed at the way animal young respond to their parents' commands.  They mind without fuss, and quickly.  Since last year, the lax set of parents have learned to keep their brood in line a bit more.  The strict parents are still that and spend more time on sentry duty than the other two.  Shows that things aren't equal , even amongst geese.  While I watched, the goose in charge indicated that the goslings should get back into the water and get ready for a group lesson.   On command, all take off flapping their wings, lifting themselves nearly out of the water as they head out into the pond.  Honking and general noise making follow, along with wing flapping and splashing.  Back to shore, a small wait, then repeat, over and over.  Unfortunately, the coffee works slowly and when I finally get my camera, they have finished.   In a day or so, they will have to prove themselves, individually.  I can't wait.  I know what's coming. 

 

 

They've only begun to discover their wings.  Flapping is fun.

 

I'm not the only one watching..

walk with me wednesday..

again or still....
I can't decide which is a better way to describe the weather.  After nearly a month, I'm thinking words like overcast, damp, drizzle and rain.  The world around me is lush, fat and very, very... green.  All the greens you can imagine: light greens, dark greens, blue greens, yellow greens, browned greens, green greens and evergreens.  Evergreen.  Ever. Green. Gorgeous. So green you can smell it. Eat it. Green. 

 

That's Ishbel. A great diversion for rainy days.

it has been so long...

I don't know where to begin.  For me, the spring wool festivals are over for the year.  Despite the long hours, I really do enjoy them.  So many people to meet, friends that stop to visit, gorgeous fiber and finished projects that come wandering through my booth.  I never seem able to get away during show hours to check things out, but lots of wonderful things pass by for me to see.  This year, the weather held for every fair.  It makes spring, SPRING.

If you were able to stop by, you probably saw Susan's beautiful shawl, Beach Glass. Thank goodness she was able to send me her's as a sample for the kits.  I started mine sometime in May.  I can't remember when exactly, don't laugh.. I've had a lot going on.  Last night I finished the knitting, grafted the clever little bind off and finally, this morning,  I soaked it and pinned it out to dry.  Mine is the cashmere version, using the Pasha yarn in the Beach Glass colorway. I've enjoyed knitting it SO much that I'll probably start another soon.  The pattern is fun, not hard to remember, and a great project to carry along.  I knit until nearly dark one night while sitting around a camp fire during a weekend camp out at the Cape.  Those sssk combos need light to execute.  Certainly not fingers sticky with toasted marshmallows knitting in the dark.  The rest was done while visiting, at knit nights or while watching TV.  Everything except the cast on.  Seems I need a quiet spot if I am going to cast on nearly 400 stitches and count them correctly.  And, the cashmere... well.  It is cashmere.  Gorgeous, soft, light, heaven to hold and knit, lovely lovely cashmere.  Amazing stuff.

If you've ever snorkeled or spent time diving in the turquoise blue water of the Caribbean ocean, you may have found yourself swimming with the mantas.  The crescent shaping of Beach Glass reminds me so much of those winged creatures.  So silent.  So graceful.  I can see them, whoosh!  whoosh! an undulating rhythm, each push sending puffy little sand clouds across the ocean floor. 

There's a little problem showing her off to you.  The only space I had to block her was in a corner of the basement.  It has very poor lighting and she's resting a top an old sheet that is stretched over two flattened cardboard boxes.  Every picture I've taken has color problems, way to far off to correct properly.  If it ever stops raining, I'll get busy with her photo shoot.  She's not alone.  Trevi, her lovely Ocean colored sister, is also waiting patiently for me and for the weather. 

whew...!

Whew!!  I can't believe that my last post was before the New Hampshire show.  It already has faded into memories of a beautiful busy weekend.  It is SO good to get to visit, however briefly, with those of you that make a point of stopping by to say hi.  Even nicer, those friends that bring their finished projects to show me.  Since that weekend, I spent a Saturday at the RI show.  The venue is as pretty as it gets.  Make sure to put it on your calendar for next year.  Coggeshall Farm Museum sits on the bay in Bristol, RI.  This was the third year for the fair, it is growing quickly.

This weekend is the Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair.    Once again, stop by.. say 'hi'.
I'm in one of those stalls that are under the grandstand.  Same place as last year.  Love to see you!

Beach Glass, the newest shawl by Susan Lawrence, will be there too.  I'll have some in kit form with the amazingly soft cashmere yarn, Pasha, dyed in the Beach Glass colorway.  It is lovely!

NH Sheep & Wool

What a long week.  Monday afternoon, my washer broke, flooding my entire office and studio.  The well pump broke two days later. That means I went from flood to no water at all.  Now I have a new pump, a new pressure tank and muddy water that smells.  I'd love a shower.  To top it off, the New Hampshire Sheep & Wool Festival is this weekend!!  I couldn't miss a beat all week.  A few new items will be coming along with me.  My newest knit, Anne Hanson's Trevi shawl will be there, and a preview of a new pattern by Susan Lawrence called Beach Glass.   I'll have the newest addition to Ball and Skein's yarn line, Pasha, the super soft 100% cashmere lace.  It was a hit in Connecticut and I've added a new color called Rusty Nail.  I'll be there in the same place as usual, the Home Arts Building.  If you remember, it is the one that has the cookie vendor right outside the door. Molasses cookies, the best ever.  Really.

See you there!

not easy

He's my friend. He's interested in almost anything I''m doing, at least for a minute or two. He cuddles.  He hangs out with me.  What more could a girl want.  He makes it hard not to laugh when I push him away, again and again and again.  Okay, if that's the way you want it.  He moves away and turns his back to me. 



Maybe a little. 



When I finished pinning it out, I covered it with the ends of the sheet so it wouldn't appear quite so comfortable. And, interesting.  I walk away.  Five minutes later...  yep.

February Lady Sweater

Saturday, Cindy came by to have a yogurt making lesson, lunch and a photo shoot.  We had successful results on all counts.  Despite its brightness, which I worried over, I've worn this sweater quite a lot already.  It fits right in with the season.  The world of Spring is filled with bright colors, many very bright pinks.  Not only does it fit right in, but it is very comfortable.  How could anything this relaxed not be.

Details are on Ravelry.  My big spurge was the buttons.  The yarn was spun from Brown Sheep roving remnants, probably during the first year I learned to spin.  It sat waiting as an unfinished vest buried deep in a stash bin.