Flock and Fiber

This years flock and fiber in Canby was blessed with gorgeous weather. We spent all day Sunday browsing yarns and fibers, and checking out the flocks. My favorite this year are the Shetlands. I just love them. They weren't bleating obnoxiously like the goat guys and they have the coolest horns every. They also seem like a bunch of sweet fellows! We also love the alpaca, ofcourse, even with their earie little noises they make. I was dissapointed that this year there weren't any yaks. Maybe next year. I purchased a couple of gorgeous hand dyes and the day was complete!

Trail Riding!

In all the years that my dearest girlfriend has had horses, I have not had the guts to ask her to go riding. Finally, I did! I think it is a combination of some big life challenges, the gorgeous September weather, and the upcoming school year. and... I'm am sooooo glad I did!
Of her three beauties she had me ride Buck, a sweet old boy who is strong and gentle and has a frisky streak. We went out on a trail that wound through forest, winding up and down and all around with the Clackamas river. We ended up trotting through farm fields near an old barn full of bats. They even have radar posts set up in the field.
On the whole it was one of those totally special days that I will always hold dear. Even with the sore muscles the next day... I can't wait til my next ride!

Cape Meares Lighthouse

During our wonderful beach trip we spent a rainy afternoon checking out the incredible Cape Meares Lighthouse and the mysterious Octopus tree! Both were wondrous and surrounded by gorgeous old growth coastal forest. It was a treat!

Last Summer Beach Fling!

We happened to score a yurt at Cape Look Out for a last chance to play at the beach! The best part was that our dear Vita was up for a visit and it made the whole trip a special time. Plus we brought Jimmy who enjoyed the beach the best including chomping down large amounts of sand. It is hard to part with such a glorious summer filled with great times but this was the best way I could think of ending it and getting ready for fall, school, and colder months. sighhhhhh!

Bright New Star

Yesterday I decided to widen my crafting horizons and took a short lesson in crochet. I met an instructor at my LYS with a project in tow and got down to learning. My good friend has hired me to make a crocheted star shaped blanket for her best friend's first baby. Phew! I thought after a few crocheted flowers and granny squares I could figure it out, but it was way over my head. I was super pleased to get the opportunity to have a private lesson and someone to walk me through it.. So far so good!

Blood Orange Soda Floats!

Jack and I had a special treat after a long hot walk in the sun. I had some blood orange soda and immediately thought of a cool creamy float. It reminded me of a orange-cycle....and yummmmm.

Baby Shower....

This morning I woke up and hurriedly finished a couple loose ends on some projects for my dear childhood friend's baby girl. The shower brunch was at 10 and I found myself sewing up sleeve holes, putting on buttons, and tucking in tails. Phew! All while guzzling a cup of dark french press.. In total baby girl got a gorgeous Patagonia cotton blanket, hand dyed sundress and booties, and my favorite Tactile "pomegranate" baby February sweater! I was super happy with the end results and so was she. xoxo

Rainy Day Adventure

We went on a tour of the historic home of Dr. John McLoughlin, a fur trader, mayor, and thr founder of Oregon City. Amazingly, the home was moved back in 1909 from its original location near the river to the top of a bluff using only logs and one horse at time! It was a slow and dangerous process as the horse was used to turn a wench 8 inches at a time and rocky outcrops in the road caused the home to jut out dangerously. They actually weighed the side nearest the hill down with sand bags to ensure it wouldn't tumble off the road! In addition to relocating the home they relocated the graves of Dr. McLoughlin and his wife. This sparked great interest in the paranormal community who believes the home to be the most haunted location in Oregon. It was an interesting 45 minute tour and a spooky house. The gift shop was incredible! It had old school children's toys, tea bricks, and incredible books. I got Bijou a book on hand shadows and Jackson a thaumatrope.

Garden Goodies!

The tomatoes are slowly coming in, zucchinis, peppers, beets, and sadly little carrots...

Oregon State Fair

I love to visit a state or county fair. I never tire of the endless rows of agriculture, innovation, pie contests, and hand dipped corn dog. This year was no exception. We enjoyed organic carnitas while viewing the horse and buggy contest. We were treated to tastings of best pie, rare movie collections, vintage bikes, crafts, green energy, largest dalia, glass blowing, miniature horse shows, and a ferris wheel ride. It was Jack's first time and we also rode the lift chairs across to get a birds eye view. His big brown eyes were as big as his smiling mouth! The best discovery this year was a family ranch from the Salem area that delivers a share box of grass fed antibiotic free beef and other meat products! YAY! Were signing up!