These pictures downloaded backwards but you get the idea!!! Happy Halloween.....
Jennifer made the most amazing muffins for us. My girls are all pretty much genius's too. The apple doesn't fall too far from the ol'tree. ( I pretty much milked the finger thing for all it was worth, no dishes, I couldn't even sweep for awhile,wink wink... you get, it right) Spinning however was pretty do-able though. Knitting was not too hard once I figured out how to catch the yarn right. (I knit continental)
Jennifer and Seth went hiking up to Vulcan mountain Sunday afternoon. You drive through Julian to get there, which is a beautiful little mountain community. We usually try to avoid going there during October however, since ti is Apple Days there and everyone goes up to enjoy the Autumny environment. They have lots of "pick your own" orchards and fun entertainment things for the family.
They also stopped in a place called Descanso on the way home and brought me back this wonderful surprise. Local honey!!!!!!! the lady they get it from sells two different kinds. The lighter is from between the ocean and Lakeside, and the darker (here) is from the wildflowers from Lakeside to Descanso. It is a total treat and just in time as my other bottle is almost gone.
I love Autumn. This is most decidedly my favorite season. The crisp morning air and the brilliant blue sky. I love the colors and the smells. The feel of the air and everything pumpkin. The heat of summer can almost be a pleasant memory. I can again enjoy my afternoon cups of tea, and look forward to having a log in the fire soon. Yes... all is well......
I bought these acorns in Historical Newnan, Georgia. We put them in a bowl with Carlye's other gourds while there and now they have they're own bowl here with me. Aren't they cool.
There is a poem that keeps playing in the back of my mind... I'm not sure how it goes for sure but something like this....
Where ever I stop to rest.... It seems I like my own home best.......
Yeah I like that . Even if it isn't quoted correctly. This is how I'm feeling today... Happy to be here... Right here.... Home....
Blessings, Sue
This is about as good as they got. They poured into the pan just like planned. It was the turning over part that kinda messed up. (This Crepe filled the pan perfectly... I promise)
So as it was so politely asked of me in between slurps and finger licks. "Hey whats the difference between these" (jelly covered finger pointing down to his plate) " and those over there?" (Freshly licked finger pointing to the weens plate) "They're all ripped up the same"
That I remembered the really great bran muffins from yesterday in the fridge. Oh Well. It was fun. I'll try again later... There are plenty of autumn mornings left.
Blessings, Sue
Yesterday was one of those days that you never want to forget. We spent the day at the zoo. The weather was absolutely PERFECT. This is us in the sky tram. Yes I made him promise not to shake it.haha
The giraffe's were so close. I think this is a cute picture. I love how they had their necks all wrapped around each other.
This guy looked like a few other spinners got to him before me. He is a Guanca from South America. I would really have liked to get some of his coat. He has the same thoughtful eyes as the alpaca.
Really, I could have touched this girl. Being the mature adults that Seth and I are, we were talking about the gap in the fence that we "could" squeeze through. Also being the mature adults that Seth and I are, we knew that it was not only against the law but that it would be my luck to tick it off and get trampled. Sooooo............... hahahah
and this is the man and his beautiful daughters. Am I BLESSED or what????????????????
This is a rather random post today. I feel kind of random.
Seth and I went on a date. Yes a real live date, just the two of us. ( I'll wait while you get a cool cloth for your head if you need one) haha. This was just before the wedding and we took the time out to go to an exhibit at the Natural History museum in Balboa Park. That story next time .
This is the famous fig tree at the park. It is huge, and AMAZING. They now have a fence around it but at one time you could go right up to it and feel its magnificence. One time a long time ago... When I was a Daisy Girl scout leader, we took a field trip to this very tree. Not just our troop but about a million other little girls. This tree was swarming with legs, arms and laughter until one minute we heard screaming and realized that someones little foot was stuck in the fork of a few branches. Oh yes.... The fire department was dispatched as was the police dept. and about a thousand other emergency vehicles. I have to admit that after I found out the little girl was okay. I was really glad that I was able to swish my little group back to the van and make like ducks, to get the flock outta there. Whew.... I new there was a reason I had said no to their mournful little pleas. Hence the fence. Which is really a blessing to us all. Now the tree can be admired from afar and not have to worry about we silly humans.
And last but not least I leave you with the fountain that graces the park. We have had many hours of enjoying this fountain. When the girls were little all the way until now when we shared a sandwich and Ice tea and listened as the saxophone player. A couple even broke into a few steps of dance while walking by. It was good.
Til later then, Blessings Sue
This fellow had a definite pattern that he was determined to follow, and follow it he did. He would swim from the left side of his tank all the way over to the right side. Down to the bottom right below this window and up past the glass. I watched him for I can't even say how long. I was lost. Amazed at the size of his body, huge really, and yet he was so graceful. He had scars on his skin and I wondered what had caused them. One of his tusks had been broken off, halfway, and I wondered if he even noticed. I wanted to know how cold the water felt and if he was bored out of his mind. I could see every detail, so close, every whisker, and I could see into his eyes.
He STOPPED!!!!!! Right in front of the window. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited. I could see him so well. Now I could count the whiskers. I think I may have even squealed, because it was broken, the spell that was cast over me. I was shot back to reality. Ah and sadly , yeah I was embarrassed to realize that I was the only adult with my face as close to the glass as physically possible. All the other people around me were beautiful children.
Snapped back to "adult mode" I was then able to watch the wonderment that the kids had. It was GOOD. I enjoyed the rest of my day with the memory of that time. I think of that time every now and then, and I know, It changed me.
Flamingos really are a special type of animal. Truly amazing. I have to admit though, that my main thought while watching these guys was "how am I going to duplicate these colors"
Wishing you the blessing of many child like moments, Sue
Susan and I took a road trip earlier... I'm going to say spring time, since we saw a brand new baby, to A Simpler Time Alpaca Farm. Its located in Crest. Funny thing I realized once out there was that I used to teach her son California History in home school. (small world) ANEEEWAYYY......
Look at these faces. What lovely animals. Really.. The sounds they make are so soothing. Quiet, gentle and just plain sweet.
This is a baby I especially liked. He or she was tri-colored. His little rump was darker then his shoulders. Him and the other babies with him were so curios. They came right up to the fence to see us and snuffle our hands. They're eyes are beautiful, with long eyelashes.
Look at this guy...... He reminds me of some of the Amish men we saw in Pennsylvania. ( no offence intended) As a spinner I see the amazing colors in these animals fur. The quality of alpaca fiber is outstanding. The fiber itself is actually hollow making it much warmer then sheep wool. It doesn't have much "memory" meaning that it doesn't bounce back into its original shape as a completed garment. Sorta like if you were to knit a scarf with the yarn it would "hang heavy".
Sometimes I like to mix my fibers together, using a fine merino sheep wool with the alpaca. Not this time however. Susan and I bought some yummy fiber and this is what I spun. Its about 6.something ounces and I got 512 yards. Its a heavy fingering, light sport weight. It is amazing to the touch. So soft..... Its 3 colors, same animal. I tried to spin it from light to dark, so that the stole I am going to make with it will go from light to dark as well.