Fall in Love...

The beauty of fall...is to fall in love with it all...

When the fall wind is blowing...stand still...let it go through and around you...it knows your soul...it knows your beauty...simply stand still.

Even in a blur...we are still seen...we are still beautiful...nature knows and loves everything about you. Simply Stand Still.

Summer is Beautiful

I try not to think about the days rolling by as we approach the school season and I get closer to another birthday number. It's really not the number that bothers me as I still feel like a young girl inside,but, the fact remains as the numbers climb life itself gets shorter. Like the days of summer, the sun is setting earlier and earlier,  yet still, it makes me smile. I delight in the sky, although I do love a clear blue sky with a huge ball of sun, I love the clouds. They offer detail like a brush to a plain canvas they make the sky so interesting, especially when photographing. Wow, I just paused to go outside and set my Home Grown Veggie sign back up. The wind is blowing and feels absolutely wonderful as the sky is blue with a few puffs of white clouds, and the sun is shinning, it's amazing,  with the exception of the fact this girl was wearing one pair of sunglasses with another on her shirt. I can't tell you how many pairs I've lost wearing them that way. Thank goodness I am practical and simple in living, loosing cheap sunglasses doesn't feel so bad. Somehow though more seems to find there way back in the house. Mostly due to leaving them in the garden, and that's where I usually am this time of year. It's been a pretty good growing season, I have planted the fall crops which are growing. The tomatoes did okay, not has good as they have done in the past seasons, then nearly everyone is having the same problem, especially organic growers. Zucchini has been in abundance, as were cucumbers, beans, and peppers. Brussel sprouts are still growing beautifully and my lavender is just amazing, in fact, it's my favorite, although I did loose two new ones this year, which is rare. Have yet to figure that one out. But the others are doing beautifully, oh how I love growing and processing lavender, and the dahlia's are just gorgeous among other flowers I am finding randomly. 

Summer Days...

 It's really hard to believe summer is nearly past us and school is beginning again. The older I get it seems like there is not enough time in a day to get things done. it's almost like life is moving at lightening speed.

I remember when I was young time seemed to just stand still, a day seemed like a week long. Sometimes I miss those days, like a flower in your hand sits there until a breeze gently sweeps by unexpectedly to carry it off, floating like a feather twisting and twirling until it lands. Dahlia's are one of my favorite flowers, they are striking, sturdy, yet perfect they almost seem, and the yellow are just stunning against the green plant. I planted them this year among the veggies in the garden. The bees come in abundance are enjoying these gorgeous flowers.

I plant on the ground, God's Earth, letting nature do what it will like they did hundreds of years ago. Sometimes its a good season, others, can be challenging, yet it's how I like it. I'm not a gal who does her nails, no, I am a gal who loves to feel the dirt in her hands. I dig right in the ground without gloves and pull out the weeds, of course, with the green beans I did add cut up garbage bags to limit the weeding.  

I've been harvesting a lot of green beans, freezing them for eating during the winter months when travels slow down, and the snow keeps the roads from being driven. It was such a bad winter last year I really don't  think I am ready yet, to see snow falling. Nature however, must keep going, changing, and taking us in and out of all her seasons. In the long run spring does feel good after the months of snowfall.

In the meantime, I'll just continue knitting my blanket and making frittata's which I am enjoying with all the fresh veggies from the garden. Gosh, they taste marvelous, so fresh, so full of flavor. Everyone should have a garden even if it's just a small one on your deck, or porch, growing tomatoes, green beans, peas, and all in large pots. Yes, it can be done and the reward in taste is well worth it all.

The final ripening of the season is the concord grapes that surround the yard. These are purple concord and make yummy jelly and juice. Not quite ripe yet, but, they sure do predict the nearness of fall. I have to say summer is one of my least favorite seasons, although the days are beautiful, like winter when it's too cold to go outside, summer seems to be much the same with the heat and humidity. So I opt for spring, and fall with a bit of winter, when knitting, the warmth and glow of a fireplace are peaceful. 

Summer Project...

Ah July, the flowers bloom over and over, the rain falls leaving droplets on tender leaves, the gorgeous sunsets followed by a lovely cool night. I photograph nearly daily and love it. The grand babies are doing so good, the three born from November 2013 to May 2014 are all settling, the youngest still trying to find her rhythm yet all is good. I feel a calming this week the kind that is reminisce of a fall season, not that I am ready for that to arrive, simply feeling low key. This is when I knit the most, I love the rhythm of something simple like the garter stitch, the flow of the back and forth even makes for a more relaxed setting. Although I think I will add a bit of charcoal color in a few stripes throughout the project. Nothing fancy a simple toasty warm blanket done in Lion Brand Thick and Quick yarn. I didn't want this project to take to long just needed the feel of the yarn through my fingers, since I am more of a fall and winter knitter/crocheter. The cool days recently I believe had my fingers craving the clicking of the needles. Yes, this will be my summer project I will finish before the cool/cold weather sets upon us. The one I will focus on, the only one, I will get done so I can wrap myself in the warmth and thickness. Should you be interested in making this simple blanket its done on 13" circular needles cast on of 190 stitches. 

Have a wonderful evening dear readers, and thank you again for visiting.

A Gray Day...A Free Dish Cloth Pattern For You!

 

It's a rainy gray day.. the sounds soothing, calming and the flowers delighting in it's nutrients.

And I am creating.....

 

 

 

 

 

Cast on 60 Stitches
Row 1-8: Knit
Row 9: K6, then knit rib pattern as follows: *P3, K3, repeat from * until last 6 stitches. K6.
Row 10: K6. *P3, K3, repeat from * until last 6 stitches. K6.
Repeat rows 9 & 10 until piece measures 11”
Next 6 rows: Knit.

Bind off loosely, weave in loose ends.

Have a Blessed Weekend my Dear Readers!

Morning Dew Walk...And Someone Was Watching!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love the early morning hours 6 to 7 am when the air smells fresh and there is dew everywhere as if it rained. I am always in aw...of the way the morning dew drops photograph so beautifully. The temperature finally broke and the heat is gone for now. I've noticed everything in nature seems to be confused this season, with all the rain the garden is just beginning to produce what little is left. The zinnia's finally bloomed, oh... it's so nice to see the colors of summer. It feels a bit like spring here though, it's odd even I am a bit off this season... with the rain I've spent a lot of time inside knitting ..it seems much like winter knitting, and then I look outside and marvel at how long nature has maintained it's colors, and I am thankful. Especially for the little guy who I caught out of the corner of my eye hiding in the tall weeds and did not make one move until I walked away.

Isn't he just beautiful!

 

Knitting Log Cabin Shawl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many things in life I love, a simple bouquet of daisies makes me smile, a table filled with small things has a country feel, says welcome have a seat, lets relax and chat... an A shaped attic converted into a camp setting with simple cloth walls, an easy get away without leaving the house...how romantic. And knitting or crocheting as I love to learn.

Simple things that say Happy, that's what I am every time I learn something new and that's the beauty of life. And a thunderstorm just now arriving as I type...more rain what a wet summer, but oh the sound of it all... is relaxing.

I am just about a day, two at best from completing my hooded poncho, and looking forward to working on my lightweight garter stitch shawl. I have found a couple other patterns I am just anticipating beginning...oh how I love learning. And....so many new projects my hands are just waiting to try!

Bird Watching Spring is here....

It's been awhile since I posted I've been busy in the yard. In fact today

I was enjoying this another birth of a new spring. My favorite season of all.

I can sit for hours listen to the sounds of everything new, the birds chirping, the wind blowing the new leaves on the trees. Listening is so soothing and everything is showing signs of growth.

 

    Getting older has it's down falls physically it's true. Yet the eyes, even though aging, see things better than they ever did before. The mind processes everything around me, it's like being a baby, finding new things so exciting. The only difference is now I can understand it all can soak it in and that's amazing.

 

 

I sat on the ground watching this little bird protecting it's nest. Watching it's every move thinking how beautiful it was and how good the fresh grass smelled, the true green of spring, the softness

and the smell now heighten my senses. The air even smells so clean like laundry hanging to dry in the breeze when brought inside. Everything just seems new as though New Years Eve should be moved to this the birth of spring it just seems right. But I suppose having two amazing celebrations is better than one.

Like this bunch of wild weeds with beautiful shades of purple and the yellow dandelions popping up everywhere we seem to mow away or devourer them with pesticides. Why, with such beauty do we destroy them, I wonder.
 

 

 

Things To Do on a Cold Wet Day

 Well here on the Northwest side of Ohio we are bracing for a bit of the storm Sandy to make her way to shore. Although we wont be getting near the full impact of her wrath, it's bringing cold air and very wet weather, along with high winds.

On this side of the house are my white concord grapes, they offered a lot this year compared to last year. As your can see the leaves are turning, since it's fall, and today through the window I photographed the beginning effects of the storm, windy, rainy, and very cold.

 

 

 On a cold, wet day, the fireplace is warming the house, lending it's cozy feel. I am finishing undone task, such as gathering seeds from my favorite flowers. Zinnia's on the right and Yellow Daisies on the left.

 

 

And this year I added Lavender to the mix. My first batch is drying out on an old pine shaker grandfather clock I designed and had handmade in 1982. I started out with 8 different varieties of lavender which did very well, so next spring I am making half the field all Lavender.

 Of course, I have to make sure which variety survives the Northern winter in an open field. I have an acre and grow organic veggie every year, but plan on expanding more of the farm to suit the lavender.

 

 

Most of what I grow in the veggie garden is a variety of tomatoes. Next year I am making raised beds throughout the garden. However, today I am packaging the remaining seedlings I saved from this year crop. I do this every season and the reward is much better than buying new tomato plants. I start the seedling inside in February under florescent lights in a spare room.

On the heirloom seedling I always mix a bit of bleach in water and let the seedlings sit in the mixture a few seconds. This way I don't risk cross contamination.

 

 

There is only one problem this year, while the seedling were drying I got busy with another issue and thought I could mentally remember what is in each jar. So far, I can't remember not to worry as they grow, the leaves will tell me what the type of tomato it will produce. I did get a little more focused on the last batch and labeled the plate. The varieties I grow...

Romaine, Roma, Early Girls, Watermelon Bee, Black Krim, Cherry, Better Boys and Yellow Tomatoes. The Romaine and Roma did exceptional well this season and were my main plants. Roma's make exceptional sauce and tomato paste.

 

 

In the latter part of what was left of the daylight. I decided to hang a wooden sign on the wall. It has been sitting on the back of my couch long enough.

My love of words and especially being surrounded by those that are positive, can actually make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself. It keeps me thinking very positive all the time and I love it.

 

 

Here is the a bigger photograph of the corner where the sign and scones holding the candles are located. It's my favorite corner in the living room.

 

 

The table in the corner was another design of mine which was completed with the clock in 1982. Most of what you see I have had for many years. I believe in cherishing what one has, to many times we just dispose of things and replace them with new. I have had all my furniture since 1982 with some new added in 1994, since then, I have added the wording and the Willow Tree collectibles with a few handmade blankets and pillows.

 

I am finishing a cable pillow I knitted by adding the buttons tonight. I made a promise to myself, that I would finish what I started, before going on to another project. So far, so good, since June I have keep that promise and completed every project.

Tomorrow I will show you the pillow it has a unique story and twist to it's finishing.

Have a wonderful evening.

 

<3 Pamela