Aug

Random Updates

1. I am down 22 chickens. (THANK GOD) and they now are in my freezer. We bought a strait run of red cornish (a mix of cockerels and hens) and got mostly cockerels. These guys averaged 1.5 pounds HEAVIER than our first batch of chickens.

2. The day after processing my meat chickens I got my very first egg. (I don’t believe this was a coincidence either). It is a little small but that’s completely normal for a first egg. I heard some chicken screaming from the coop and went out to investigate but there was nothing to see except one maran hen looking for a place to lay down. I went out later to find this egg.

The chickens are still young so the difference in eggs below is not all that uncommon. The egg was still edible (Tank ate it, leathery shell and all the minute I turned my back) it just doesn’t look the way a chicken egg should.

3. I am apparently growing zucchini of Mass Destruction. I figure they are a week away from going mutant and eating your cat.

My radishes aren’t half bad either!

4. Kodiak really is a puppy. He’s pretty good but he still eats odd things that I have no idea how he got a hold of.

5. We have had our first incident with the sheep. I can tell you this bandage (as I originally thought but I’m not always in charge as much as I’d like to think I am) was totally unnecessary and that our fence out to the big pasture is now Tank-proof. (Not that you could drive a Tank into it, but that Tank, the Great Dane Mutton Muncher can’t slip it anymore).

6. Tank and Kodiak are the best of friends. They love each other in a way that only dogs can. Kodiak is one tough little man and they enjoy chewing on each other all day long. They may look fiece but they are really in love.

Better stuff coming. Tomorrow is the Mr’s birthday where he grows even older and we are going to the fair!

189 days ago Short URL 5 Comments

Chicken/farm/fiber/Icelandic Sheep/Maran Chicken/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures/Sheep

Aug

Sock Summit 2011

I went, I saw, I knit, I bought yarn, and needed two whole days to recover from it before writing about Sock Summit. Boy! What a freaking fantastic time. I didn’t know what to think when I first signed up for classes. The intense classes I wanted were already filled up by the time I registered but I’m kind of glad. 1. a new experience (such as sock summit) is exhausting enough without forcing my brain to sit up and pay attention, 2. I don’t really enjoy classes that much, I’m a “teach myself how to do it” kind of person.

So I’m really quite glad that I chose two seminars. The first was Amy Singer (the editor of knitty) teaching us all about what she has found are the characteristics of a successful pattern. It was actually really interesting, I found some things I had not been doing and will change as well as just a lot of information. I was the only one in the class that had submitted to knitty and been rejected (twice), which either means I’m more ambitious or foolhardy than my classmates. Either way, you can’t succeed unless you try so I keep trying.

After class was the first day of the market. People went nuts and I tried to stay back a bit. I’m not insane, I’m not an insane yarn person. I don’t NEED to be first in the door, there is nothing there that I can’t live with out. There may be somethings I wish I didn’t have to live with out but I’ve come to a point in my life (and knitting) that I know what I’m looking for.

The line was long (as you can see from just a fraction in the reflection above) but the Portland Convention Center was well organized and moved us very quickly along. They only had to yell a little at people who would stop right as they entered the doorway into the marketplace to move along and not block the entrance.

I was on my own, and anyone who knows me knows that by myself I am a bit shy. There was a TON of people and a lot to see. I was on a specific mission only interrupted once by this woman who I had to photograph…

When people talk about knitters I’m pretty sure they are picturing something very like the lady above. This was a specific themed group, (there were like 6 or 7 of them) and they all had on different viking hats which honestly looked cool. Going out into public away from other knitters like this though might be a disservice to us all.

Also, there was a lot of dyed hair. I’m not really quite sure why either. The odd thing was that it was worn by women my mother’s age. Now I’m not discriminating because I had deep blue hair for like 3 years straight, but if a thing is so main stream that my mom would consider doing it I think we are over the shock value of it completely.

(I’d also like to say that when I had blue hair I was 18 and I had to shave it all off -because I’m naturally blond- when I had to get a real job).

So I buzzed through the market place with out really stopping until I came to the booth for Splityarn and Stitchy. I knew I was going to get a box bag and a camera strap and wanted first dibs. Caro and Stitchy were so super nice. I’ve been “friends” with Caro on flickr for years but it’s so much different to see a person in the skin.

The details on the bag are especially nice. I saw a lot of bags and a lot of box bags but none had such lovely little details. All the patterns match up on Splityarn’s products in surprising, thoughtful, and lovely ways. It’s not easy to be so thoughtful with designs so when they are found I think they need to be shown to the world

And that was all I bought the first day. I grabbed my camera strap and box bag and ran out of the market place (after paying of course). The second day was much better. I had a short seminar with Tina Newton of Blue Moon Fiber Arts (Socks That Rock) which was brilliant and fun, then I met up with Sandy who had taken the train up to Portland to come visit me and come to Sock Summit.

Tina Newton is kind of like yarn incarnate. I kind of wanted to squish her and put her in my stash She was stinking adorable.

I will not tell you how many attempts the above picture took. Apparently my camera is hard to non-camera users. Finally I had to use Sandy as my human tri pod and try to tell her through a smile “stop pushing the button!” which was restarting and restarting and restarting the camera’s timer. Finally we got a picture and were able to move onto the yarn.

Oh the yarn, it was incredible. There was SO MUCH of it that it was a little overwhelming. I didn’t go overboard, I bought what was pretty and what I liked but I didn’t buy EVERYTHING.

It was really fun meeting people I had “known” from the internet in person. Mercedes of Kitchen Sink Dye Works is in my circles on Google+. She’s a dyer, a knitter, and freaking adorable. She is also nice as can be. I’m always a little afraid of being a weirdo internet person to other people but she was really lovely. She talked to us about yarn, dying, and amazing magnetic fingernail polish!

(Do you seee that she also has a split yarn box bag?)

Sandy and I saw great things, weird things, sad things, and just amazing things. Could you imagine knitting peacocks on a shawl like this? I couldn’t either. I would never do it but it was pretty none the less. More like art than something really wearable.

We ended the day exhausted and in sore need of a beer! This lady was weaving a UPC code for an art competition which I thought was cool.

And at the end of the day this is what I ended up with. 11 skeins of yarn, 1 box bag, 1 camera strap, 1 small project bag, 1 pattern keeper (brilliant!), 1 set of magnet pattern markers, 2 braids of roving, and some knitting needle earings (not pictured). It was fantastic and exciting and exhausting! Next post I have an actual, honest to god, finished SWEATER to show!

193 days ago Short URL 7 Comments

Craft/fiber/handspun/knit/Knitting/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures/Portland/Spin/spinning

Sock Summit

Jun

Chinese Gardens or Monica Monday

HA! OK I totally just amused myself with that title (and I just randomly spelled ‘amused’ as ‘amuzed’ nice.) Anywho I met up with Monica on Monday. We drifted first trough Powell’s Books without finding anything needing to be bought then wandered down to the Chinese Garden. After seeing the Japanese Gardens I think I might have expected more. We should have visited them in reverse order. The Japanese Gardens are stunning in their green spaces, their perfectly pruned trees, their planning and thoughtfulness and just drop dead beauty.

The Chinese Gardens are, well, not the same. It centered on the buildings rather than the plants. I saw quite a few plants I couldn’t quite think belonged in a Chinese Garden. That said it was very pretty.

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day. I love that Monica never seems to notice when I’m photo stocking her. She’s so pretty I can’t help it.

When you roam the paths of the Japanese Garden you forget you are in the city. You are surrounded for ancient tall Douglas Firs. In the Chinese Garden you can’t help but see the contradictions of traditional vs contemporary. I wish the newer buildings were more interesting, I might have actually gotten on the ground to get them all in the shot if they were.

And since there really wasn’t any super interesting plant shots from the gardens (odd right?) here are a few from my own pasture. Here come the weeds!

I like to catch the buds right before they bloom. I think they are probably more beautiful than when they actually explode into color.

This is probably my favorite color of yellow ever.

One of my favorite things to do is wander through the back pasture. NOw the husband has finished fencing I don’t have to worry about losing the dog through the barbed wire fence (which means no more ripped jeans or sweat shirts as I struggled after him).

In knitting news I have started a new pair of socks…

I dig em. Also my amazing testers are picking through my Weave It shawl pattern and are helping me write it so that it is easier to understand and cleaner.

I’m giving it another try in submitting to knitty (not the above pattern). I don’t know how it’s going to turn out, most likely I will be turned down again but you can’t win if you don’t play.

227 days ago Short URL 1 Comment

knit/Knitting/Memories/Pattern/photography/Picture/Pictures/Portland

chinese gardens

May

Beauty for Beauty’s Sake

Moni and I met up for our monthly jaunt into Portland to act like tourists. Being that I’ve lived outside the city for less than a year and Monica just over we get to do all the things that you never get to cram into a weekend of tourism. Even more fabulous is that Monica, being an awesome librarian, has access (which I guess anyone has access to in the Portland Library System) to ‘cultural passes’. These are awesome passes you rent out and get free admission to many of the local cultural spots around Portland. This Monday we went to see the Japanese Gardens. Now I’m not a garden person. I’ll enjoy and marvel at people who can manipulate their yards into green, flowering, sculptural art but mine? My yard is run by a dog, wayward rabbits, escaping chickens and the occasional wily goat. My yard is dotted with sunny yellow dandelions, a little overgrown, and like me…imperfect in most every way. But you can sit out on my patio with a glass of tea or a beer and never feel as if you don’t belong. My yard will never be too perfect to step on or frown at your dirty shoes and mud stained jeans. My yard won’t care if you smell like a barn or you haven’t gotten around to washing your hair which is now tied up by a bandana. This is my yard. That said, I enjoy beauty. I savor it like most artists do. I stop and breathe it, smell it, absorb it into my skin and my subconsciousness in ways that I assume people feel about clothes, shoes, hair, makeup, or pocket sized dogs. Everything is beautiful is its own way but I particularly love green spaces. I love to be outside among trees that have dwarfed man for many generations. I love moss covered ground and hanging lichen and hearing bird calls echo from unseen branches. I loved the Japanese Gardens more than I thought possible. Maybe mostly because it was green and unlike a western garden it shunned flowers.

The sheer amount of green was mind-blowing. Japanese gardens focus on the green instead of the flower. The aim is to have as many different greens as possible. It’s stunning. Adding to the day was that it was, as Portland often is, raining. Thankfully I have finally gotten on track and bought myself a very Portland worthy Lands End rain coat which makes the rain as beneath my notice as if it were not raining.

You could spend all day every day photographing at the gardens just to capture every light and every moment. I know I would be bored of this fairly fast because I’m easily distractable, but I do really want to go back. Maybe in the fall.

We wandered through the garden by ourselves first, photographing as we went. At 1pm there is a tour and though I don’t do tours Monica and I decided to check it out. See, I’m not a joiner, I’m not really a team player. I don’t like to be in large undefined groups where rules of civility usually aren’t followed. This tour though was quite amazing. Our guide was knowledgeable, entertaining, and fun. The group was quiet enough but also interactive but not to the point to bore the other members. Every bit of the gardens has a purpose, a reason for being. Nothing is done just because. It is a symbol, a chance to reflect, to meditate, to think. It all seems very hard but simply easy and beautiful. Frankly, it’s a whole lot of work to make something so beautifully simple.

I have discovered I need a portable tripod. This would have turned out a million times better if I had a sturdy tripod rather than trying to steady this on the railing as I slowed my shutter speed way down to try to capture the sense of movement.

I love stairs because I love line and I love vanishing points. I particularly love these stairs because of the moss threatening to overtake them and their beautiful stone fronts. They were only a little tricky to get up for someone as unbalanced as me but thankfully they were close to normal stair height.

It was a magical day. It rained just enough to coat everything in a slick jewel finish. I think that rain makes just about everything look better and the smell is intoxicating.

In other news (almost knitting/ fiber), one of my newly favorite wordsmiths has written a beautiful short story. It called to me even more because of the weaving/yarn/ fiber content. You should go check it out. It’s super short and beautiful.

Arachne by J.M. McDermott

261 days ago Short URL 5 Comments

Books/crochet/Fantasy/fiber/knit/Knitting/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures/Portland/reading/short story/Spin/spinning/thoughts

May

Walked the Walk

Today I earned some farm cred. I talked the talk and walked the walk. Today I took my 15 cornish cross chickens to the poultry processor. For the last 8 weeks I have been raising my chickens for this day and I honestly wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about it.

At first they were lovely little yellow chicks and the day was far away. They peeped and didn’t mind being picked up and were quite lovely then they grew and grew and grew. They were still great chickens, low key mellow eating machines.

It was amazing how fast they developed.

I didn’t grow up on farm. The closest I got to it was riding after school with my mom on horseback through local parks. This was a huge leap for me, and I didn’t know how I would feel. Don’t get me wrong I really liked these chickens. I loved watching them grow and go about their chicken business. I really enjoyed raising them. But, they were bought and raised for a specific purpose. That purpose was eating them. A lot of people will say (and have said) “poor chickens”. The cornish cross breed is genetically engineered to grow fast for meat purposes. They grow extremely quickly but because of this have poor long term quality of life. Their organs don’t develop well and they can suffer from heart attacks. Thus, keeping these chickens long term can be inhumane.

They are different than my layer chickens (marans and jersey giants). They didn’t understand the roosts which caused them to be dirtier as they often laid in their own poo. They also did not actively forage or see my 160lb mutt as a threat. Frankly, they weren’t very smart. But I still liked them. I would talk to them and visit them and smile as they wandered around in the chicken yard. I didn’t know how I was going to feel when the actual day came.

Well, the day did come. I scheduled my appointment with the processor, confirmed that everything was done humanely and the Mr built me a cage for the back of my car to transport them in. I woke up earlier than normal and after feeding the goats, geese, ducks, turkeys I gathered up – with the wonderful help from the Mr – all the chickens that were to go. We loaded them into the car and I made my way to Boring Oregon.

I can tell you 2 things from this trip. I love my car. Love it more than any car I could possibly own. It holds my huge mutt, and now 15 chickens in a custom cage quite easily. #2 chickens in my car STINK. Odd because chickens in the coop do not smell. It was gross. Thankfully I could roll down the windows a bit and the smell was sucked out. Also chickens in a car with open windows will send feathers flying in your face.

I dropped the chickens off at 8am and I can’t tell you that I didn’t feel a little guilty when I left them there to meet their chicken maker. I mulled over how people would react to this post or how I would write it. I pictured their faces and remembered how many times I crawled on my knees in chicken poop to get them out from under the coop. I worried that I was starting to doubt myself.

Then it was done and I picked up 15 fully dressed chickens. It helped that they looked like the best fresh chickens you’d see in a fancy organic grocery store. They looked wonderful packaged up and I knew I had made the right decision. I knew this because here in front of me were 15 chickens ready for oven and freezer. These chickens had a wonderful live full of eating all they could, pecking grass for bugs, and laying in the sun with legs stretched out. These chickens would feed my family with wholesome nutrition. Everytime I will cook one of these birds it will be with extreme thought and care. These meals will be artfully prepared with out a bit of waste. They will not be just food, they will be a mini feast. They will not just be slapped in the oven and forgotten, they will be rubbed with fresh herbs, coated with homemade butter, and roasted with the best vegetables.

I know that not everyone thinks they could do this. I had never thought I could do this. Less than a year ago I lived in a sprawling suburb on the west coats between LA and Santa Barbara. Now I’m raising my own animals for my own table as well as preparing a harvest from my own garden. It is a change of life and a change of perspective.

These days everyone talks about eating local. It is environmentally sound and helps support local economies. More and more I believe this is the way to go for my family. Local markets, farmers markets, and raising what I can. I’m even thinking about growing hops to brew my own beer. Maybe next year.

I enjoyed raising these chickens so much that I went straight to the farm store and replaced my stock. 22 new Red Cornish chickens are in their brooder in my garage. Unfortunately they are cuter and more distinct. Maybe one will get a stay of execution if people really have a problem with it. Frankly I’m proud of myself. I raised my own food in a way few people do these days.

281 days ago Short URL 9 Comments

Chicken/farm/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures

Apr

Living With Passionate Purpose

It has now been 7 months since I moved from California to Washington where my husband had started his business and we were finally ready to live in one place together in a more settled lifestyle. Before I moved it was grueling, heart breaking, lonely, and stressful. I spent 5 months alone – dotted with visits from the Mr every 2 to 3 weeks. I continued to work at a job that I hated, for a boss that hated me and did everything in her power to make me feel worthless, stupid, and always in fear of loosing my job. I popped antidepressants by the handful and went back to the doctor to have my dose increased. I lived with up to 10 panic attacks a day, riddled with anxiety I hid it the best I could while I was at work, often going to the bathroom to cry silently.

Then the business took off and it was finally ready to leave behind California and it’s madness (along with in-laws I sorely miss) and stake a claim in the south-western Washington. The first few weeks were chaotic at best but we have settled into live in our semi-rural home nestled in acres of pasture, trees, birds, and all sorts of wonderful wildlife. The Mr had picked out the most wonderful house and property. Since I was still living in California and packing I saw only a few poorly chosen pictures captured by the real estate agent so I wasn’t prepared. The house is lovely, it’s set up well, not to large, has plenty of storage (with a second unattached garage), 5 acres of enclosed pasture and a wonderful barn that makes me all sorts of happy.

Still, something seemed to be missing. I spent my first few months knitting ferociously, reading, cooking, cleaning, unpacking, exploring, and spending copious amounts of time with Tank on walks. We added chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks to the property giving it a sense of purpose and giving us a sense of satisfaction in growing something that was meant to nourish our bodies as well as our spirits. We had been lost in the fold of Californian greed, and frankly, it hurts. Raising our livestock fills a need to create and harvest that is intensely satisfying in a way that is hard to explain. It’s hard to put into words that this chicken has lived a good, well cared for life and now will nourish the family that raised it. That the vegetables will grow and their harvest will be reaped and enjoyed more than any store-bought lettuce ever has. Wool shorn from my sheep and spun into yarn and knit into a sweater will be a better sweater than any ever offered by a designer.

We are returning to the land as my Father in Law puts it. The odd bit is that he seems to say it with pride. We never expect anyone else to understand why we have chosen the life we are living – and of course this is only the tip of the iceberg - but we certainly don’t expect understanding and such acceptance. We love it, but most people would rather not raise chickens and turkeys for the dinner table, though many do it for eggs. Raising livestock isn’t hard but it isn’t as easy as dropping by the store after work and grabbing some chicken breasts. What it lacks in ease it more than makes up for in environmental impact, sustainability, and wholesomeness. I know where my birds come from, I know they are healthy and what they eat. I know they have no extra hormones and that they have never suffered (except when they are slow to get into the coop at night and I pick them up, and they will tell you this is suffering in the worst sort!).

I finally have realized in the last couple of weeks what was missing. I was missing my stress, my worry, my anxiety. I wasn’t taking any anti depressant (which I had been doing every other 6 months or so for the last couple of years). I’m happier than I have been in years and frankly, after that long, it’s a little odd. Yes, I’ve been always pretty happy, I have an amazing husband, an amazing family, amazing friends, and an amazing dog, but there was always a tinge of misery I hid from the world. Now though, even on the worst days, even on days when no chicken wants to go into the coop at night and I have to pull them out from under the coop, kneeling in chicken poop in the process, or when Tank finds coyote musk and rolls in it happy as can be I am happier that I could imagine. I am happiest now when I am the dirtiest, most tired, and most sore because it means I am doing something meaningful, something with purpose. I didn’t realize before how much I needed this but now that I have it I don’t think I could give it up. It might not be the life for everyone but I think I have finally found my best life.

Nov

A Quicky

We are headed up to Seattle today for Thanksgiving. As soon as the Mr gets home we are loading up the car with the dog & heading off. These are the Pacific NW Salyers and it’s nice to be semi close to some family. I sometimes wish we were the ones that were visited but that’s never been the case and probably won’t ever be.

Thankfully we are with in driving distance.

What has happened since the last post. Well it officially became winter & so it snowed. Tank got a new coat & actually does very well in it. He’s a big dog, but not a hairy one so a rain coat/ parka was a must. Especially since we go to the dog park daily. I think I take my dog to the park more often than some people do with their kids!

Since I get asked this A LOT, I got Tank’s coat at Pets On Broadway in Portland. They have a ton of designs, larger sizes (who knew that my dog and I would have the same fit problems?!) and friendly staff. I felt bad when Tank growled at the sales gal who was helping me put on his coat, but I think I would have growled too if someone caught my wiener (assuming I was male and HAD a wiener) in the elastic. It was $28 bucks (no sales tax, thank you Oregon) and it’s machine washable. What more could you want?

I have put out seed for the birds and though the squirrels can get to it, they preferred their own way.

I have designed a simple shawl and have found a new model!

Pattern coming soon.

My mother has sent her usual pre-Christmas package with goodies to be enjoyed before the holidays. This however is the most amazingly horrific and awesome thing I could have ever expected. Mom, seriously, you couldn’t have done better unless you sent me a zombie ornament!

Not only is it super metallic & has a scary “I’ll end your existence” smile, but it’s motion activated and TALKS. Seriously, I love it, and I love it because it’s so horrific. I’m a little afraid of how awesome this is.

Also, the Mr and I had family portraits done with an amazing photographer here in Portland. He was fab, fun, easy-going, and did amazing work. The Mr and I are not America’s Next Top Model fierce so I had my doubts but the photos turned out fab. Can’t wait to order!

443 days ago Short URL 3 Comments

Craft/Family/fiber/Knitting/love/Memories/Pattern/photography/Picture/Pictures/Portland

family portrait/fritz photo/portland portrait

Nov

Portland, the Tour has Started

I’ve been spending much more time wandering the area from Vancouver to Portland exploring, trying to remember fabulous things and taking pictures. Last week I did something I haven’t done in a long time. 1. I met up with an internet friend & 2. I went yarn crawling.

Moni & I have been friends on Flickr for like 5 years. Ever since I began taking pictures I think she was probably my first flickr contact. So we’ve commented on each others pictures here & there and watched each other from a distance. When I moved up here I had no idea that she lived close by. So of course I was on that like white on rice & drug her out for a yarn shop hop.

It was fantastic. We hit up Twisted ( LOVE!), Knitting Bee, and the Yarn Garden before we finally needed a break. Our break of course was Moni’s idea since she has been here a little longer than me. She directed us toward Powell’s City Of Books. I can’t even tell you people how awesome this book store it. It’s more like book meca. 4.5 floors of books. Everything you could want in book form with one exception…

This is apparently all anyone knows about Scandinavia. Seriously, there were 5 books on Finland. Kinda lame but I’m not sure that has anything to do with book shops, I think there just might not be a whole lot of books published in english about these subjects.

Moni & I first checked out the craft section. It was huge! Books I didn’t even know existed!

I ending up walking away with a book completely devoted to entrelac. I love technical pieces like this that give you a whole new idea for something you thought you knew.

I love the above picture for nothing else than it looks like the shelves go on forever, which they just about do!

You can find books like this (which I think are in Russian?) with covers that look like a bad acid trip amongst a full 12X18 foot row of bibles.

If you are in Portland or around the city and haven’t visited as I hadn’t you need to make a bee line for this store. They give you a MAP! That’s how huge it is.

I visited one last store after I dropped Moni off at the train. A store I won’t mention here. This window was beautiful, the yarns were ok (they had Shelter which was the only reason I went) but the whole feel of the store left much to be desired. It was knit night, usually the friendliest night in any shop but no, they huddled together with staff and ignored that I circled for 20 minutes trying to gather up the courage to ask them to move a little so I might see the rest of the shop. They never once greeted me (including the staff) till I checked out, and never made any indication that anyone could join their knitting night. Now don’t get me wrong, I have belonged to a knitting group for 3 years and know that there are people that don’t always click, but we recognized, invited, and greeted every person who came in the shop on a thursday that we didn’t know already. If they just wanted to shop we always were aware that we were sitting in front of some yarn and if they even looked like they might want to see it (or frankly TOUCH IT) we would jump right out of their way. Frankly, this store lost my business and I can’t say I would recommend anyone there either.

The next day I decided I needed a wander. Being that I am an only child it really doesn’t even occur to me not to wander around a city for hours by myself. I first headed over to a spot that I had seen the day before. It had crazy columns and interesting looking displays (from what I could see as it was closed).

The store actually ended up being Hippo Hardware. I can’t even begin to tell you the complete awesomeness that is this store.

Do you find yourself in need of a cool, vintage, or unique piece of lighting, plumbing, or fixture? Look no further because this place will BLOW YOUR MIND!

Upon entering the store I was greeted with one of Portland’s characteristically amazingly nice inhabitants who must have seen right into my soul for she said hello then…”The lighting is all the way up stairs, the plumbing is floor 2 and the most important thing of all is the bathroom is right behind you!” How could she have known? If you know me, you know that I always need a bathroom on an outing and I will scope them out and add them to an internal rollidex of “Best Stores”.

inside was amazing. I just didn’t even know where to start. Even better is that they all seemed to know I was only there to take pictures no one cared. (I will admit to walking away with a moose coat hanger).

Seriously, anything you could ever desire is probably at this shop. (well home wise anyway!)

Lamps and lights were by far their forte! There were so many and they were all so beautiful and unique!

Just the sheer amount of stuff to look at was almost overwhelming! I’m definitely going back because there are some great looking floor lamps I want to check out.

After the hardware store I dropped by Lone Fir Cemetery per my nifty Portland guidebook. It was completely amazing. There were Union soldiers buried there! I honestly didn’t even think about there being civil war era graves here but there were a lot!

A few people seemed to use the cemetery as a short cut but for the most part it was pretty quiet as cemeteries are.

There were a lot of markers like this one, a cut off tree with scroll work talking about this person being a Woodsman of the World which I believe has something to do with logging.

It really makes you wonder if anyone remembers these people anymore or if they are just names in stone.

There were lots of masons but this was by far the nicest depiction of all of them.

It also comes to mind how short these lives were compared to today. These people did so much in such a short time it makes you feel a bit unworthy for all that you put off doing.

Saturday we had a family portrait session with an amazing fun photographer in an urbany grungy setting. I can’t wait to see the pictures but I know so far that he does amazing work so here’s hoping we gave him something to work with!

So in the name of doing something crazy each day the Mr and I went to Voodoo Donuts in Portland on Sunday. If you haven’t been I have only one question…WHY? Seriously, if you live here you need to visit.

1. this is a relatively short line. The amazing donut barista are fast as lightning so don’t waste their time. Know what you want or let them pick but keep the line moving.

This place only accepts cash (but the photo booth only accepts credit). they DO have an ATM but it’s hiding, so don’t leave and go look or else this line could happen to you.

2. Please make your kids sit down or play pin ball. Getting constantly pushed by a 5 year old will make me loose my temper.

3. Do remember that peanut butter on donuts is just about the best thing ever.

4. Tip these donut givers because man, they work their butts off!

OK, enough for today. Hopefully soon I’ll have knitting to share too!

Toodles!

452 days ago Short URL 5 Comments

Craft/knit/Knitting/Memories/photography/Picture/Pictures/Portland

Nov

Catch Up

So I really didn’t mean to disappear for a few weeks after that last post. It’s just life I guess. I’ve been knitting a lot (some secret projects some not) and trying to get to know the area we moved to a little better.

I finished my second Constance Cowl and I love it. This is in a deep purple Lima by Rowan.

One thing I’ve noticed since moving and getting into the new house and away from California is that my skin has gone all sorts of fantastic on me. That picture above shows me with only maskera on. Not even a hint of conceler. I love that! I don’t know if it’s the lack of stress or just the weather but going north has done wonders for my peace of mind and my body.

I finished knitting my string theory (scarf? cowl?) and I love it. I will say that I found knitting this boring and tedious but I wanted that finished project so bad I just knit until it was done. I think if I had chosen a heavier weight yarn (there is a dk version so you are saved!) I might have not been sucked into twisted stitch, purling hell. I think that it’s more that I’m an ADD knitter and if I can’t get it done fast I don’t want to do it. (which is why I don’t knit afghan).

I have gotten so many compliments on it though and I get so much use out of it that I am glad I stuck with it. It was fun to meet the designer at Twisted in Portland (my new favorite yarn store so far) and a little embarrassing when I didn’t immediately realize that this was her design.

If you’ve ever wanted to wrap a beautiful skein of yarn around your neck this is the pattern for you.

I’ve also been spinning. This is some neat Black Welsh Mountain Sheep that I got through Mette. It’s rustic and bouncy and a really nice black. I was thinking about plying it, but I’ve decided it looks great as a single. I’m hoping to have enough to do a short sleeved sweater out of it. I think it would lend really well to cables or chunky lace.

The Mr and I went venturing to Astoria the other weekend. It rained and wasn’t promising. Tank rode in the back of the car looking somberly at the wetness (the dog hates water, what can I say?) the whole way. We did manage to get a few breaks between the pounding HAIL and all in all it was a good day. We found a FINNISH STORE! I can’t even tell you how happy that made me. I walked in, and yup, everything looked familiar. I loved it. It was like walking into my Buppa’s house.

There’s this pillar in Astoria and it’s awesome. It has amazing carvings all over it and is truly a work of art. The hail and crazy lightening kept me in the car. We will have to go back for a closer inspection.

We did get out of the car and go to the jetty (which was amazing & deserves a different post & better non rain saturated pictures). Tank was not impressed. I did say he didn’t like water right? Well, the waves were incredible and hit the jetty with amazing force, driving a crazy spray over the observation deck. Tank almost did not go down the stairs because of the wetness of it. Instead, after he pulled me to my butt on the stairs after a huge wave soaked us both, the Mr took over and coaxed our coward down.

When the Mr told me about a shipwreck I was all expecting the titanic on a beach. Still, this was cool…I guess.

See that little bit of ship behind us? Yeah, that's the ship wreck. Not nearly as impressive as I would have thought.

We also went to a fort from WW2. It was pretty cool. It is the only place shelled in WW2 in the continental US.

Driving from Washington to Oregon (or visa versa) you need to cross water. The bridges here are cool, this one gave me a little pause because the current was CRAZY.

Last weekend the Mr and I went to a huge antique expo in Portland. It was amazing. I love seeing how the antiques range from different regions of the US. This is the major piece I bought. It’s an old oil cart used at a gas station. It’s been cleaned and finished with a great lid. This will be fiber and yarn storage in the living room. I can’t tell you how pleased I am with this (or how incredibly heavy this thing is. Can anyone say cast iron?)

Another new development is that I have taken golf back up. I used to play all the time with my parents when I was in junior high & high school but then stopped when I married the Mr and moved out to California. Golfing can be expensive. But Bish got the Mr into golfing and I didn’t want to be left home by myself so this is my belated birthday present.

Callaway Big Bertha's

I love them. Seriously, they fit perfectly, are nice & light and amazingly enough I’m not as rusty as I thought I would be. I’m still smacking those balls strait & fairly far. What is amazing is how well the Mr has done at this new sport. He has an amazing short game (which is usually where people fall flat) and can also really hit the ball (strait & far if he remembers the 1 billion things you need to account for in golf). More important, he enjoys it. It’s fun going to the range with him and Bish after they get off work

And that about sums up what I’ve been doing. It’s sunny today which means Tank & I will be exploring another new park. I have a few small designs I’m going to be publishing soon and the large short row shawl will finally be published. Hopefully in the coming weeks I will have more to talk about Tank’s potential brother, our Christmas card portrait session, Thanksgiving travels, and more knits.

Happy November! It’s officially cold.

465 days ago Short URL 7 Comments

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Oct

Finally Some Finished Knits

So I promised I’d have a more in depth post coming. I just needed to upload all the stinking photos that I’ve taken over the last few weeks and get my thoughts sorted. Then I realized my thoughts are never sorted so here we go! Random as always but just as fun!

I designed this cowl and am writing down a free pattern for it. Totally easy in every way and I love the way it worked up in this transitioning Noro.

(why yes that is my super fabulous barn behind me! Why yes I DO love it!)

I have also finished my Plain & Simple Pullover. It really is plain & simple except for the crazy “Only Preita would choose this color” Orange.

(notice my wet shoes? It was later that day I got some proper Washington worthy waterproof Keens & LOVE THEM)

I knit this out of Madeline Tosh Merino (the colorway is Tomato though I’ve never seen a tomato this color). Lovely yarn, lovely color, fun buttons. Moving on!

I finished my second Channel Islands shawl. I have managed to stump all my testers but one. I don’t know if it’s because my directions don’t make sense or what. The tester that has gotten far was the only one from my knitting group, a fellow Minnesotan and able to see my shawl in progress. I’m not sure which of these had the desired effect but she is the one who understood it the most. Hopefully after getting some of her notes I’ll be able to make a better written pattern that is understandable across all languages.

It’s a fun and easy pattern once you understand it but I don’t want to release it and still have remaining issues with how to proceed after the set up (which is something people seem to be having the same trouble with). After it’s perfect I’ll release it to you all.

The other day Tank dug this 2″ hole and pulled out a vole. we have always laughed about his good nose but now I’m seriously impressed.

This is the view from my new favorite place to knit (my patio). It’s covered so I can knit in rain or shine and has a nice view of the back of our property.

This is my barn that I’m completely in love with!

This is the Yarn I bought at Twisted in Portland (Yes it’s LOCAL!)

This is what I’m working on right now (totally weird how I ran into the designer at Twisted!)

There is a Llama/Alpaca Ranch down the road (of course).

This is when I finally made it to Twisted in Portland after getting totally lost and seeing cops handcuff lots of people at the train/ bus station. I’m much happier than I look but I think I was trying not to look like a freak on the street taking pictures of myself.

(This store is like Anacapa Fine Yarns in Ventura + Loop & Leaf in Santa Barbara + Wild Fibers in Santa Monica. It was THAT great).

This is the Mr and his buddies golfing in the rain.

This is when Bishop found a Coors Ball and did a happy dance back to the cart.

And this is the random spectator we saw all over the course.

Mr Poopers Day Out

Filed under Memories …