First Snow

leaning out my window

paper clay beasties

love this cover

I woke this morning to the unmistakable silence of snowfall.

Small flakes falling steadily onto the backs of squirrels.

I wish that I could take off from work on the first snowfall of the year

to tromp through the woods (with a hawk on my arm!)

Sorry I haven't been posting as regularly, life is a whirlwind as of late.

Dutifully knitting away and squeezing bits of paper clay into beasties.

Hope that everyone is happy, safe and well.

xo, j

"Take your pleasure seriously"

-Charles Eames

Greenhouse & Green Mitts

sweet basil, lights, white cyclamen, norfolk pine
and yellow paphiopedilum 

baby alpaca mitts

Today I opted for the heady rush of exhaling plants

and made a trip to the greenhouse not a half mile away.

The yellow orchid stole my heart...

So busy at work lately...

Cabbage, Beets and 'Taters

This past weekend my city mouse friend braved the country 

(and muddied her expensive boots!)

 to pick the above seasonal veg from her friend's farm.

The season has been quite mild but

 this will probably be the last viable harvest.

The cabbage is enormous, weighing in at 9 pounds!

Tomorrow is our Thanksgiving Holiday.

I'll certainly be chopping, peeling and roasting.

Late Afternoon Walk

crab apples

knitting gifts

belted kingfisher

Today I made a last minute trip up to the mountains.

There were only a couple hours of sun left so my walk was short.

By the time I left the moon was almost set and it was 27F.

brrrrrr!

Thank you all for the lovely comments on my previous post.

It really made my day and prompted this little walk.

Thanks for getting me out of the house!

xo, j

Beautiful Day

just one more sleeve

the last tree with leaves outside my window

4 out of 6 orchids are spiking, the flowers are coming!

It's an absolutely perfect autumnal day.

The sun is bright and a chilly breeze makes it perfect for a walk in the woods.

Alas, I must go into work soon.

I should be knitting Holiday presents but I'm so close to finishing this sweater.

My gauge was a bit off and a smaller size would have been more appropriate

but it's Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and very soft.

It will be great to just bum around in.

Morning Walkabout

doorstop

dried flowers

pink shadows

Walking around the apartment this morning, 

trying to see the usual things in a new way.

"It's a matter of never giving up before one has

managed to re-create the first impression..."

-Pierre Bonnard

Pinks and Sweets

It was a beautiful day with the temperature reaching 72F.

That's unheard of this time of year.

I did some necessary shopping then went for a walk around a neighborhood park.

Kids were playing soccer and many people walking their dogs.

Back home to tea and cookies and a lovely magazine.

Wishing everyone a relaxed end to their weekend.

xo, j

Rose Hips, Pomegranates and Paper Clay

A grey day with clouds that look like snow.

I went for a short walk and found these bright red rose hips.

Pomegranates are back in the grocery stores and I couldn't be happier!

I love the delicious little seeds.

Keeping busy with the little paper clay animals.

(They look a little too cute...but I don't care)

Lots of knitting and reading.

Hope your weekend is full of wonderful treats.

Cashmere and Coffe

Yesterday I received a postcard in the mail from a dear old friend.

Elyse Allen will be attending the Philadelphia Craft Show

again this weekend and I hope to make it down to see her.

Elyse was just a girl when we met in a Ceramics class

but even then she had more ideas than she knew what to do with.

You just knew she was going to do something amazing one day.

She is now a very talented designer working in cashmere 

and Swarovski crystals (swoon!)

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of my blog.

Thanks to all who have visited and especially to V,

who somehow found me with her kind words and changed

my life for the better.

xo, j

After the Storm

Hurricane Sandy has passed by.

Thank you so much for all those who sent me good wishes

and helped me make it through the storm.

It was a frightening night as the winds reached 81mph.

There was lightening in the clouds and the winds smelled briny

as they tore at the trees.

I lost power for a day; the store where I work was closed for three days.

There are still many people without electricity.

I was very lucky.

Today I took a drive back to the Goggleworks 

to pick up the tumbler I made last week.

On the way home I stopped for a walk around 

the Rodale Institute Experimental Farm.

I filled my glass with wind before the first drink.

It may be a little lopsided but I'm so pleased!

Thanks Scott!