from my front yard

a crafty slacker

Mikay on the 4th of July. We walked up to the park by my parent's house where she got dizzy from spinning too long on the merry go round - aka death trap. it's the same one we played on as children. I just closed my eyes and pretended not to see.

I've been a serious slacker in the crafty department. I've got a water bottle sling half way done for my sister. I've got a ladybug started, but couldn't get the head to work like I wanted so it's having a time out. I was very stressed about Mom's surgery (ps, she's home now) and I'm not even sure what I did all of last week. Now I'm just tired. I need someone to come crochet/knit with me. Someone to keep me company so I can get back into the groove. Anyone? Anyone?

anyone know what flower this is? We passed a couple houses with them out front along the way. I'd love to have them in my yard.

friday's flower

one of this year's hanging baskets.

there is something about a sunflower

...that I simply cannot resist. It is a little surprising because I don't remember being particularly drawn to them earlier in life, but now, I love them. And I love to photograph them.

I went with my mom to pick up their dogs from the groomer last week. Behind the store there is this wonderful little pathway, hidden from the surrounding city. Upon their release from what may as well be doggie prison, we walked "the girls" (as they are known) down the path. And I saw these. It was like some unseen force pulled me to them and required a few pictures before releasing its hold on me. This second one is my new desktop on the computer.

I do (however vaguely) remember that this is supposed to be a knitting (and at the very least, crafting) blog so I will try to get some of that up here soon. I have made a little lion and am working on a lamb. I am also knitting slippers as well as crocheting an afghan for my oldest daughter. I've decided to make one for each of them, starting with my little bird.

a visitor in my garden

I am posting these pictures especially for Sarah. I took them the same day as the others, but felt they deserved their own blog entry.

can you spot who I found hiding there in my sunflower?
and (apparently), she brought a friend:

five atypical sunflower pictures

taken in my front yard (click pictures to enlarge, if you wish)

farewell summer

I took this picture in my front yard about a month ago.

I always find it a little sad to say goodbye to the summer. This year it is bittersweet. It was a hard summer, but also a good one. I put down my needles for a few months but I picked up a trowel instead. Well, I picked up the trowel for a while until it mysteriously disappeared (I had a few suspects, one with four legs and a couple with two) at that point my trowel became a large kitchen spoon (or rather my big kitchen spoon became a trowel). I planted many new perennials and some annuals for color. A good friend built me window boxes (she claims it was her own therapy). I happily watered my hanging baskets, boxes, flower beds and lawn each morning while I waited for my tea to cool. After all of my plants had been given a drink, I would take my tea in the backyard while I spent fifteen or twenty minutes having some Bible time.

But now it is cold. Mornings have become a bit crazy around here. I need to find a new routine. I look forward to next summer with more flowers and more tea on the patio.