Owling

Yesterday, our errand running turned into a National Geographic Nature episode.

We started off in Newington and picked up our picnic lunch at Stew Leonard's. Fun for kids while grocery shopping.

Then we took the ferry, and got the oil changed at Reynold's Subaru. Delaney thinks that a princess lives at this castle.

After we arrived at the in-laws, we saw an owl in a nearby branch. She kept flitting from branch to branch; but focusing on the fence. We thought that Poppy had left a rag or something hanging out while he was working. Am forgot our baby carrier at the dealership, so he had to make a return trip. As he drove by the fence, he noticed it was one of the baby owls! He was able to free its elbow from the fence and put it on the post. It was so amazing to see the intimidating posture of momma owl to Am. She kept snapping her beak and hooting.
After some more drama and another owl removal from the fence, we put the baby in a taller branch of a substantial mountain laurel. The whole time, the two siblings were observing – one from a branch where it could test its wings, and the other from the comfort of its home. I was surprised at how calm the baby owl that got stuck was and how patient the momma was. We observed the dialogue between the mother and the stranded owling; she seemed to be encouraging and instructing it how to get back into the tree. As for the owling out on the limb, she seemed to coaxing it out farther on the branch and stretch its wings. We kept chuckling at the baby observing from the safety of its home; it kept reaching its head out as far as it could stretch and looked straight down, as if to say, "We are awfully high up! I don't know about this flying thing…"

Of all the days not to bring a camera around, Am took these with his phone.

To top off an amazing nature day, a beautiful moon and the spring peepers.

CT sheep and wool

Lovely day, lovely people, lovely fiber!

It/Tagged

Tagged by " Knitnut,Karen".

What would I do if I had all of the money in the world?

1.

Version 1: the unselfish answer
1. start a local organization to help senior citizens with doing their groceries, going to dr's appointments and staying social.
2. Donate like crazy to a whole bunch of organizations
local soup kitchen
local no freeze shelter
Save the Children
Cancer research
UN food program
the Waterfire in Providence, RI

Version 2: the selfish answer
1. Pay off all of our debt on credit, mortgage, student loans and cars.
2. Start education funds for the girls
3. Start our retirement fund.
4. Put $ away for caring for our parents
5. Buy a Lendrum spinning wheel
6. Buy land/house/barn up in VT and start a B & B. Including a barn to house my animals - sheep, llamas and chickens.
7. Go on a Disney vacation!

Thanks, Karen

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Our Go Green Committee at our hospital sponsored a tree planting today. Delaney got to help.

Blue hue

One of my favorite things about knitting is working with color. I fully admit to fondling skeins of yarn in the store, but the color is what captures my attention. I love using bright punches of vibrant color to spice things up a bit. Lime green, hot pink, electric blue, here I come. One of my favorite hand-dyers is Gail, the kangaroo dyer. She has an amazing eye for color and mixes beautiful tones with a pop. Her talent is evident in the subtleties of each of her skeins. She was gracious to gift me with the most beautiful skein of blue hues today. The colors in this one skein range from stonewashed denim, to carribean sea, to robin's egg. I love it. It will be a February Lady.

Today

Made a little quilt for Fifi.

Then we headed outdoors to start a bit more clean-up for our garden. Still have a long way to go, but little by little it will get done. We hung out with a neighbor and Baxter got to play with his friend too.

I am finishing up the last minute things for our hospital's Earth Day celebration. We will have a display for our employees about little things they can do to make a big impact on the environment, what our hospital currently does green. We also compiled "green bios" of members of our committee so our staff can see what its peers are doing. And…. The most exciting part is that we will be having a tree planting! Yay!

Yesterday, in pictures

Outside Today

Thought I'd share the pics of the girls with my man. :o)

It was nice to get outside today.
While Am took the girls to gymnastics, I cleared out more space where I hope to make my garden. I enjoy gardening because it helps me clear my head. I was feeling rejuvinated until my child decided to write/scratch on all sides of my new car with a rock. I really want to rip my hair out.

Made this cute little summer dress for Delaney. Got this fabric from http://www.purlsoho.com/purl. Did all the smocking with the help of http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/

HA HA!

D's version of nursing pads!

TA DA!

Am's sweater, the conclusion. And, together again.

I can't believe that I have actually finished knitting Am's sweater. I gifted him the yarn 4 years ago along with the promise he would get the sweater in 5 years for his birthday again. I made the date by 11 months.
This may spark some startitis... It as already helped me "organize" some of my stash. It is amazing what you turn up when you do a little tossing. I found the Print O' the Waves Stole, the Turtle skirt and other random yarns hiding in baskets. I think I may try and finish another harder project that has been hanging around a while.

>side note: Dog crates are great for laying wet knits on to dry! :o) Thanks for sharing, Baxter.

I just received the present I ordered for my mother for Mother's Day. It is gorgeous. If you need an idea for a present go check out Lea's shop. The gift was lovingly packaged and she put a lot of care into her work. Plus, she put up with a pain in the ass customer like me.

I have been knitting the Ravelry: delaneysduds' Celtic Hat I just love it. I have hit a roadblock with poodle stitch. It must be like the first time you turn a heel, just trust the directions.

Delaney and I made this for a friend's baby. The shower is soon..

It is also great to be a whole family again.

This one's for you, Daddy!

Your girlies miss you!

Come Together.

Does anyone else's brain function in song? I hear a constant soundtrack to my life.
Coming together 1.Am's sweater. After 4 years and one month. I just have to sew the sleeves on. (Pic coming soon) Ahhh. The relief.

Coming together 2.The Kitty Quilt

I can't wait for this. I have done a bit more since this picture. It is so bright and happy. And the back will be just as spunky.

New baby smiles!


Honey, Can you please come home now?