chasing [not counting] sheep

I was up at the farm this weekend and one of the first things I did was walk out to the barnyard to see my mother's new lambs. These rascals were not easy to catch on film. Their mothers were a bit skittish, so that means everyone was skittish. I kept trying to get close to a resting lamb for a good shot and the mama ewe would suddenly bolt and then all the sheep were suddenly blotting around me.

Little flashes of cream, black, caramel, dark brown and calico wool.

I caught the little bugger above on a pile of black dirt. He paused, cocked his head a me, struck a pose and then bolted off to join his comrades in the corner of the barnyard.



Here's a preview of some of the lovely shades of wool we're going to sheering off next spring. We've never had this shade of warm, caramel brown. I'm guessing it will lighten up a bit, but that's all the better.



Up, and ready to run away!



The sweetest speckled ears . . . but I couldn't catch this little lamb to pet them.




So, I went inside and had a glass of wine and some Easter candy.

a very busy weekend

A very busy weekend. I baked, I gardened, I knit. There's a writer on creative process, Julia Cameron, who talks about the idea of filling up our "creative wells". Every individual has an inner supply of creative "life water" that they tap into in order to create more and more. This well has to be refilled on a regular basis in order for us to live healthy and creative lives.

I think I crammed all of these beautiful arts into this weekend because I know I'm going to have a very busy week. I'm finishing up my master's final project in architecture. That means sixteen hour days at school in the studio. (If I'm lucky.)


When I start to get low on creative energy at school I actually tap into this blog and look at some of my past entries to remind myself who I am and what I will be able to get back to when I'm done with this very busy time in my life.


Fresh bread.


And family celebrations.

spring time knitting (too mild for wool?)

The weather here in Minnesota certainly has gardeners scratching their heads and then crossing their fingers, because we can't resist sprinkling seeds and setting bulbs when the weather is so mild and welcoming.

We've experienced a warm trend here for three weeks that has hostas, peonies and crocuses popping up early. My neighbor claims that this is the earliest she's ever seen her hostas emerge. I'm ready for some green, I just hope a late season frost doesn't put a damper on our fun.


I've already set my flower pots out on our front steps: pansies, primroses and lily bulbs.


Happy spring everyone!

sending you seashells

Time away
seashells
warm breezes and sand
sunscreen and daydreams
paintbrushes and pigment
time with my husband
. . . also a little knitting.

no longer a single girl

I put some late hours into making sure these mittens were finished on my wedding day, and I forgot to wear them on the way out of the church. I should find plenty of opportunities to wear them throughout the rest of the winter, though. We're experiencing some arctic weather here in Minnesota.



Even though the landscape can be stark during the winter, the sunrises and sunsets are vibrant flashes of color.



My sister made us a quilt as a wedding present. Her color choices remind me of a vibrant red sunset.



Mittens in process. I really underestimated the time involved in making these, but it also could have been the combination of trying to finish them in tangent with the holidays.

be merry

The wall of pictures behind our Christmas tree grows far faster than the presents stacked beneath it, which is very much in balance with how we see the holidays: as a time for family and friends.

Only a few more presentations and exams for me and then I'm off for the holidays to kick up my feet in the glittering snow (if we're lucky enough to get any here in Minnesota) and walk down the aisle at my wedding.

Lots of knitting to do. Lots of crafting, baking and gift-making.


My mother gave Garrett and I this owl ornament last season. She designed and made it herself. Each family got to choose their own ornament off of my parents' tree. I guess I always go for red.


Glass, glitter and candle light - what's on my coffee table at this very moment. Beside it is a steaming mug of mint tea and a soon-to-be finished sock for my soon-to-be husband.

in the spirit

We put our tree up a few weeks ago, but this is the first chance I've gotten to snap a photo of it. We cut it down ourselves - well, I guess I shouldn't say "we" Garrett did all the work - but I had a hand in selecting which tree to bring home.

I think we were surprised when we got it home and realized how short and squat it was, but it's good to have a tree with personality. (Right, Charlie Brown?)



Somehow, I've also found the time to cast on a few stitches . . . Hopefully this project will show up under the tree . . . that is if I can find enough time to knit in the days leading up to Christmas.


The yarn is Paton's Stripes, something I'd forgotten I had, but I rediscovered it along with our cat when she drug segments of it around the house and got it tangled around the legs of our furniture both upstairs and down. Better to knit it up into something useful.


This year we've got baskets of pine cones all around. Some of them will go for wedding decorations, others will be packed away for next year. I have a hard time tossing away a well-blossomed pine cone.

Hope your holiday is bright!