Chameleon Time!

It was nearing the 90's today and a perfect opportunity for porch time with a new project. I just started knitting a chameleon friend for my brother Hyatt who lost his real one this year. It is one of the incredible designs from Hansi Singh of Hansigurumi. She is brilliant at knitted sea creatures and many more. So far, I finished one side but am curious why I might need 3 circulars to complete it yet?

Rose Festival Sparks

The kids and I had a wonderful date tonight... we caught the premier of Night at the Museum part 2, and then raced down to the water front to catch the opening fireworks for this years Rose Festival. We were lucky and landed a spot just in time. Amidst the chaos of cars, bikes, and people we enjoyed a half hour of a truly spectacular show. I am always surprised at the advancement of pyrotechnics! Amazing!
Being that it's Memorial weekend I feel that this marks an early beginning to summer and the long lazy (hopefully) days to come. I'm eager for more time with family and friends, more time out doors, more time for crafting, and well.. more time. I'm ready for entire days spent on the porch with basket of yarn at my side, feet up, and pitcher of iced mint tea or a mohjito..
I remember long hot days on the ranch where we would all enjoy favorite juice pop cycles.. which mom made using coconut pineapple juice. We would stay up just to enjoy the cool night air and the carpet of stars sprawled our above us.

Spring Goods!

I love being able to walk out to the yard and clip a few blooms for the table. I also love the gorgeous blossom scents in the air, just before the heat comes. My favorites, though, were the bunch Jack picked.

Pasta Salad Delight

One of my favorite things to make during the warm months is pasta salad. I love that you can make it at the beginning of the week and have it whenever you don't feel like cooking in the heat. It's also a super camping food.. I usually put it in a big zip lock in the cooler. It's great for when your on a budget too! I will usually chop up as many veggies as I have in my fridge and always ensure that I have some crisp bell pepper, onion, olive, and feta! This batch I added celery, artichoke hearts, zucchini, and I dressed it with a tad bit of soy-yaki and plenty of salt and pepper. I was a bit disappointed that I over cooked the noodles.
My favorite accompaniment is some crusty bread and iced mint sun tea! Delish!

Salmon Lost

I am taking a Pacific NW Salmon management class this term. I adore salmon and find I relate to the San Juan Orcas in that I think its the worlds perfect food. Not only have I learned a lot about our environmental policy but about the dozens of reasons salmon are finding survival so challenging. The big question this term is whether or not they can.

“Whatever befalls the Earth, befalls the sons of the Earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.”
Chief Seattle 1854




These two woman are cleaning salmon caught at Celilo Falls..

Super treasures from the past...

I wanted to share just a few of the little marvels my mom made for us growing up. I hope to someday show the whole collection as I still can't believe she found the time to make us these incredible duds for our birthdays and Halloween. Whats incredible is that she kept most of them and my children get to wear them now.
The first pic is me with two of my younger brothers (there ended up being 5 of us!) dressed in our Halloween costume that year! What is remarkable is the hand beading my mom did on the head bands.
The next was my little orphan Annie costume. I loved that movie with all my heart. She made the fancy red dress version too!! I wore this for my birthday with a dozen other dressed up Annies.
The third was this wonderful folk outfit for culture day at school. I still can't believe how sweet it is with its heart ribbon and ruffles!? So great!

Spring Treats!

I fell in love with these little crocheted hexagons. Super relaxing to make and each one pops with color. I was inspired not only by Lucy's tutorial but also Soile's gorgeous color pics on her blanket.

Fiber Time!

This is Pita, our pygora goatling! He was rescued by a neighbor from a bad home in Oregon City. He now shares a barn with a mini horse named Leroy at our friend Robin's house. He helps to keep the property rid of bramble and gets plenty spoiled on extra hay and treats. Robin did his first shearing this year and I took the fiber to fantasy fibers in Canby for processing. I am excited to see the first batch of yarn!

Friendship Bread

A friend at work sent me home with a bag of pancake batter looking substance and a list of instructions. I have lovingly fed and squished the little yeastys so that they flourish, prosper, and produce yummy bread. The first batch we made was a sinful chocolate chip. This time I tried a banana variety with some pecan and chocolate slivers. It was a hit and disappeared within the night!

First Hexagon

The kids and the hubby were away for the weekend while I stayed behind to take care of poor Jimmy pup and his broken leg. It was the perfect opportunity to learn crochet! I took tips from Lucy and her wonderful blog, which is listed as attic24. (sorry I still don't know how to insert links!!) Any how.. armed with a soft skein of Cumin Blue Sky cotton I figured out how to build a hexagon and boy am I hooked!