Some things that add beauty to my days...

the texture of spring hail on my front porch....
gold finches sitting in the purple plum tree just before the blossoms burst open (the spots of bright yellow) ...
a prize from Kristin Nicholas's blogiversary contest, sent from her publisher. I am very excited to learn more about color and combining stitchery with knitting.

I resisted the urge to include the photo of my car door with the stream of bird poop on it. This is the first year I have had a robin that loves to sit on my door and look at himself in my rearview mirror. Hence the stream of bird poop. I find the humor in that.

Most of my time is spent focused on work, but I have found that my days are brighter if I remember to look up and to see the beauty. It is something I make a conscious effort to do. Otherwise, I find it is easy for me to blend into the gray tones of life.

Celadon Pool has honored me by bestowing on me the Kreativ Blogger award.

I am to list 7 things I love. I am going to alter it a little and list 7 things that I like. Here they are in no particular order:
1. Nature. I like to hike in it, camp in it, take pictures of it, and use its inspirations in my crafts. I like to hear the birds . I like to smell ripe blackberries or wild mint in the air.
2. Spinning and knitting (obviously). I get a deep satisfaction from turning fiber into yarn and then knitting something that is useful and beautiful.
3. Vegetables and cheese. Not necessarily together. They are two of my favorite things.
4. Black and white movies from the 30's through the 50's.
5. Studying the Bible. Seriously. It is so rich. The deeper I go, the more I realize I have only scratched the surface.
6. Social knitting.
7. I like to listen. I like to listen to all kinds of people. I like to hear what they have to say and the stories they tell. I guess it is because I also like people. I am less comfortable with talking.

Now I am supposed to share the names of 7 blogs that I visit. These are in no particular order. I usually don't like making a list because I cannot include everyone that I enjoy visiting. However, I have found some inspiring people through lists like this on other blogs, so I feel it is my turn to share. These are 7 of the blogs I enjoy visiting.....
1. Celadon Pool. I have followed her blog for quite some time. She helped me discover Posh Yarn.
2. Knitspot.
3. Molly Knits Sweaters. The moderator of my very first KAL, and probably the first blog that I read regularly - and still do.
4. Smoking Hot Needles.
5. Yarnhog
6. Stale Peeps.
7. Yarn Geek.
Twisted Knitster.
Ysolda.
The Soxophone Player.
Riihivilla
Celtic Memory Yarns
And more!! I can't list them all. So many creative people.

I reserved a room for the Sock Summit. It is being held in Oregon so I can't pass it up - it is about a 6-hour drive from here. In the past, I have often been disappointed by having to cancel my plans for these kinds of things due to work, etc., but I am making plans and expecting good things to happen. I am pleasantly surprised that I was able to reserve a room - I know many people have been waiting to make their reservations. Now I just need to get into a class. One thing at a time. There are so many great teachers listed. I would like to take a class from Knitspot's Ann Hanson. I have been following her blog for a few years now and she is one of my favorite designers. I think they open class registration in May.

Excitement bubbles up.

hee hee.

Romi always does a thoughtful post on Monday, and today's was especially sweet.


A song coming forward from the past in a way that could only have happened in our techno-savvy age. It is done in a way that is true to the original sentiment of the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

I find pleasure in simple things.

• My first teapot.
  

• A steaming pot of refreshing mint tea.

• The beginnings of a sock using the knit-1-below technique in lovely colors that I found in my stash.

***

I had several failed attempts at getting a self-portrait with my crocheted hat.


I finally settled for this.....

My first crochet project. A simple hat with a brim in the front that gives it just the right flare. The yarn is Berroco Keltic. My mother had a Pendleton car jacket that had similar colors in the plaid fabric. I adopted that jacket when I was about 12 (after she stopped wearing it). It was my favorite.

In the background is my "Encore Encore" blanket that is gradually growing. I am having fun combining the colors. It is being knit from leftover Encore yarn. The Encore yarn is getting an encore, hence the "Encore Encore" blanket.

They said not to click the button, but I did. They said it was a time waster, but I thought I was strong. They said it would appeal to the problem/puzzle solver, and I kept building and building....

Don't visit Fantastic Contraption. Just don't.