After the Snow

Today was bright and windy as yesterday's storm moved away.

I had wanted to take a walk but the blowing snow stung my eyes.

I picked up a sweater that I haven't worked on

 in months and sat down at my drawing table again...

Ideas are plenty and now there's the time to explore them.

A Florida Walk

morning thunderstorm from my parent's back porch

favorite park from my childhood

 a home in my old neighborhood

spanish moss...sigh

the woods

 the trail

The day after Christmas started with a heavy morning thunderstorm.

As is typical of Florida, the weather quickly cleared.

My brother and I have started the tradition of taking a walk 

through the woods behind our old neighborhood.

This time we tried a new trail...so beautiful.

We also took a drive around Lake Alice and saw a small Alligator, maybe 3 1/2 feet long.

For some reason it feels odd if I don't catch a glimpse of a gator while home!

I returned with three different types of acorns filling my pocket.

What a great day.

*smile*

A Belated Merry Christmas

This year I was fortunate to be with my family in Florida for Christmas.

It was so great to be together again, even if only for a few days.

On Christmas Eve we went to visit one of my Mom's friends 

who allowed us to pick grapefruit and tangerines from her trees.

Although she wasn't home, she had left the pickers out for us to use.

Fresh citrus for Christmas!

Thanks Mom, Dad, D and MGM for a wonderful time.

I love you all very much.

And thank you to all that may happen upon this blog once in a while.

I appreciate you letting me share my little day to day experiences with all of you.

Merry (if Belated) Christmas to you all.

xo, j

Back Online

chocolate brown baby alpaca & a bowl from Vermont

chestnuts

My internet was out for a couple of days but now it's back.

I took these photos yesterday when the sun was bright,

clouds have since moved in and rain is on the way.

Christmas is bearing down and I'm working 

without a day off this week...

If only I could lumber away like a bear

and sleep for a couple of months.

*smile*

Silence

An unthinkable tragedy in Connecticut last Friday.

We hold the families close to our hearts.

They were just babies...

Always Late for Work...

Satsuma oranges and the new issue of Kinfolk magazine.

It's been an exhausting week...

knitting occupies my hands

and soothes my heart.

Thank you for the kind thoughts.

xo, j

Goodbye Howard

It was casual but elegant, you would have been so pleased.

I'll miss you, dear friend.

patterns & colors

my knitting kit

winter green, peat and grey

blue sky alpaca royal petite knitting patterns, complete with alpaca 'trading cards'

grey, yellow and pink

"There isn't time as in a universal tick tock,

there are times..."

   -Brian Greene, The Fabric of the Cosmos

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.