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We've had a very busy week! The sun's been out, and my sister and BIL were visiting. (During their stay, they missed TWO snow storms back home in MN!) We headed north to Whistler, BC, for a couple of days, and it was sunny there also, so we did lots of walking.
First, though we stopped to see the RoozenGaarde tulips near Mount Vernon. Their gardens were beautiful, but the acres fields of tulips and daffodils in the area were all done blooming. That white peak is Mount Baker.
These tulips were a sight to see!
These snowy peaks are north of Whistler.
This little gray jay couldn't resist the kettle corn in my hand and sampled it several times before flying off.
Isn't this wood duck beautiful? His mate was nearby but not nearly as colorful.
Nairn Falls is worth the hike!
The dogwood trees and other wildflowers are blooming even though the peaks are still full of snow.
We tried to drive north of Whistler past Pemberton but were turned back because of avalanche control. If you look carefully or enlarge this photo, you can see the red helicopter that was dropping charges into the snow. The road ahead was blocked by 60 feet of snow thanks to its success.
Heading back wasn't so bad as we got to see Shannon Falls which is off the road on the way to Whistler. It was fuller than we've ever seen it.
The day after we got home from Whistler, we decided to ride Seattle's newest tourist attraction, the Great Wheel. It opened almost a year ago at the end of June.
Looking one way, you could see a ferry and the baseball and football stadiums.
In the other direction you can see the city and the Space Needle.
We ended our time together with a backyard BBQ with our son and this little guy's family. Catch anyone? (My sister phoned from the airport after they got back home yesterday with the news that it was 50 degrees and grey. But at least it wasn't snowing, right?)
Mother's Day comes but once a year, but gift plants like this Azalea "tree" just get prettier every spring.
Bleeding Hearts are so beautiful, but I've not had great luck with them. So, I was delighted to see this one return, and hopefully this will happen again next year.
The chicken wire keeps out the rabbits, and the deer hasn't yet discovered this delicacy. Thank goodness!
The Orchid sale at the UW is a semi-annual affair, and I succumbed once again even though my success rate with these beauties is poor. The end flower was a bud and has since opened, so I am taking that as a good sign. Normally the buds are the first to go! I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Max Is not a cuddler, but last Saturday he was in the mood. What fun for Oma! That cuddle kept me going all week! Not much crafting happening here at the moment as my sister and her hubbie are in town, and that's fun, too.
Mocha is always curious about what's on my needles. This time it's the beginning of a little something for the new baby that's due in August. Funny thing, I just happened to have enough pink yarn in my stash. How about that?
The boy socks were finished and delivered with the hat and much appreciated by mom-to-be. She was a good sport about the girly set, but personally I don't think any little boy would want to be seen wearing that.
These booties were made with a Bernat pattern and yarn. Somehow those bunny ears look a bit like flippers, but it's a cute and quick project. They would also be cute without the ears and embroidery as fuzzy boots. Have to try with as there is a ton of leftover yarn!
One more Christmas block is stitched and another was partially frogged but should be finished soon. Becca and I had a fun "expedition" to Country Village today where I found some good sashing fabric. Gotta get busy on that part next.
But the highlight of the week was hearing that Max actually walked across the room BY HIMSELF. My how quickly he's grown. Maybe we'll get to see his new "trick" tomorrow? Have a great weekend eveyone!
Have you ever messed up? Boy, I sure did. Remember the shower gift I made for a choir friend? Well, it turns out she is having a BOY! Somehow I missed that information and felt like a real idiot. So this week I've been working on something a little boy could wear, socks and a hat.
The hat is finished, and all that's left on the second sock is to weave the toe together. Then off they go, something much more appropriate!
The prayer shawl is finished also. That choir friend had her surgery this morning, so I hope this will cheer her up and keep her company through the rest of her treatment.
On the home front, our little guy just had his first "real" haircut, just in time to model the cute sweater knit by his Auntie Jill.
And the cherry trees are blooming now, even though it's chilly and grey. Have a great weekend!
Walking in the rain isn't so bad when the spring flowers start to bloom. The skies may be grey, but color is everywhere!
Daffodils are in their glory!
Camelias are right outside our living room window.
Forsythia is finally showing its cheerful yellow blooms.
Early Clematis blossoms are straining their arbors.
This Star Magnolia is so beautiful.
Many shades of Heather adorn the hillside gardens. Yes, walking isn't so bad now.
It's the season of pink snow! Spring has arrived! Hurrah!
My various sock projects have taken the backseat to life. Several things happened that required some knitting projects for gifts, and gifts can't wait.
One of our choir members has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, so I decided to make her a Prayer Shawl using one of my favorite patterns (Easy Triangle Shawl) with Homespun yarn. That yarn is so soft and has a wonderful selection of colors, just the thing to provide a little comfort.
Then we received notice of the arrival of our great niece Kaitlyn and the opportunity to try out a new pattern using Sublime yarn, a blend of bamboo and baby silk. The pattern is from a book of baby patterns by Sublime.
A baby shower for a choir friend is happening Sunday, so I used some more Sublime for Saartje's booties and another favorite hat pattern called Rolled Brim Beanie with Flower. I added a touch of bling, too!
Last week at our quilt meeting we were examining our finished group project for one of our members, who's been having some medical challenges, when much to our surprise she stopped by. As you can see, she was delighted.
So, there you have it, the reason my socks are languishing on my needles.
I'll get back to them soon after I finish the shawl.
As you probably know, we recently returned from Chicago and a visit with our daughter's family. Our ten days there were busy and COLD! Dick did manage to catch a few shots of the kids though.
What message Sophia was giving David is a mystery. He seems oblivious, doesn't he?
Here is a rare shot of Daniel behind Sophia; he was rarely still long enough to photograph!
Can you do this? Every time I look at this photo, my hips start to hurt!
Soon after we returned home, we headed over to Magnolia to see Max. That day he was quite busy playing with an old Tonka truck and sharpening his pre-walking skills. Just this past Sunday we were lucky enough to witness his first steps. Life will be getting interesting at their house, don't you think?
Speaking of visitors, this very cheeky deer came to our yard the other day. He or she looked me right in the eye and then proceeded to chomp off part of a potted rose as if to say, "I dare you!" It then moved on to sample other goodies before I ran screaming out the door in hot pursuit. A bit later we noticed that the traffic was slowing on the street behind our house, and sure enough, Old Cheeky and friend were putting on a show for the passing cars. Sigh. Moles and rabbits and now deer, who will we be feeding next? You can see him/her in action here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59674672@N05/8619425029/in/photostream
