Knitting with Beads

I'm anxious to start a new project: Wristlets.  I like the pattern on the latest cover of Piecework.  The inspiration for these beaded cuffs dates back to 1896.  You have to string 418 beads on the yarn for just one cuff!  It also calls for size 00 needles.  Sound interesting? LOL.  Not sure if I'll do some modifications to the pattern or not...but I'm thinking I'll go up a size on the needles at the least. 

Next, I've been looking at my stash and trying to decide which yarn to use ...and which beads.  I think I'm finally ready to start with this grey/black sock yarn and silver beads.  They will be very wintery looking.

Filling up the weekend...

This weekend was all play.  Friday I took off on another 4-wheeling trip.  We went to Sheridan Creek, unloaded, then rode to Fish Lake for lunch.  On the way, we were treated to lots of Indian Paintbrush in bloom.  Many of the other spring flowers were gone, and the vibrant red of the Paintbrush demanded my attention. 

After lunch, we ventured to check out a trail we had not previously taken, in hopes that it would not be too rough or too steep.  It turned out to be very narrow, rough and steep in places, but not bad. It was on this trail that we saw this teepee structure.  Makes one wonder how long ago it was constructed...and by whom. 

During the last couple hours of our ride, I led the way into Pelham Lake. 

 When we got near the lake, we saw a couple of fisherman who had been fishing in a canoe.  They chatted with us and showed us their catch... making  my mouth water for fresh, pan-fried fish over a campfire!  They also pointed out an area full of water lilies in full bloom. 

Saturday I went with a friend to Riverfest in Lander.  Art, jewelry, fiber, woodworking vendors were set up in the park, and there was wonderful musical entertainment as well. The weather was perfect, and the afternoon was absolutely delightful.  Should have taken the camera.

Sunday afternoon was spent at the lake on the jet-ski.  Another beautiful day...

Please tell me I'm not the only one feeling the need to squeeze in some of these adventures before summer is over!

One down, one to go...

One sock is completed...now on to #2. 

Toe to toe

I'm making slow progress on the socks...but finally made it to the toe.  That usually goes pretty quickly.  Then, on to the next toe!

I'm making even slower progress on the cotton sweater-shawl.  That cotton has no GIVE!  So, I do a 4 row repeat and put it down.  After another couple more inches I can start the "sleeves." I'm anxious for that, because I'll have more room on the needles, and I think it will just go faster.  Here's hoping!!

The full moon this month may not be a Super Moon, but it nearly looked like one to me.  I decided to try taking a picture.  I held the camera as still as I could, but a tripod would have been the ticket.

All things wild

I continue to get pleasure from watching the wildlife that comes near the house.  The birds are entertaining...and this shot of the ring-necked dove sitting on top of the bird-feeder made me chuckle. 

A young rabbit, a new occupant, I believe, has been seeking safety near my wood pile.  First I saw him laying low and resting, thinking he would not be seen at all.

Then, he must have thought it best to get near the woodpile, just in case I got a little to close for his/her comfort.  Anyway, this young one posed nicely for this photo shoot. I find it amazing that his coloring is so wonderfully camouflaged to blend in with the wood, dirt, and grass.  

A wild-fire broke out in Sinks Canyon yesterday, and sent up a large, smokey plume in the afternoon.  By evening (when this was shot) flames could be seen from my house.  Hopefully, its wild nature will be contained and tamed very soon.

It's always something...

I posted a picture of Purple Sage, more accurately Russian Sage, a few days ago. Now the blooms have opened even more and are a welcomed splash of color.  This plant looks spiny, but its very fern-like and soft to the touch.  And when you do brush your hand over the leaves, you can get a great whiff of sage.  It's very pleasant.  The bees were buzzing around these two plants and were so busy going from flower to flower, they didn't even notice me. 

Well, I say it's always something...because I had hoped to go 4-wheeling this weekend...but when I asked a friend to help me put the battery back in the jet-ski, we discovered it was not putting out enough amps to start the motor.  The mechanical advice was to get a new battery.  Rats.  So, then it's another trip to town to drop off the old one and pay (wow...too much!) for a new one.  They are pricey little buggers!  It better last 5 years!!  Well, then my friend had to stop by again and help me put the new battery in (they are small, but so darned heavy) and make sure it would start the engine; thankfully it did!

Another friend also had time over the weekend to stop by and drill bigger holes in my 4-wheeler trailer to accommodate the newer tie-downs, which have bigger hooks on the end.  So, I was really grateful for this too.  Got to get things done when you can...

So this week a new battery. Over the last couple months I've had to put new tires on the car and new tires on the trailer.  Cha-ching! LOL.  Now if it was a new pair of shoes or a new outfit, I wouldn't have felt this way at all, perhaps...so it's all in one's perspective.  I get it. 

On the flip-side of "it's always something" is a purchase I made that I think I'm really going to like: a Soda-Stream machine. I can fill a bottle with tap water, carbonate it with the machine, and then add any variety of flavors to create my own carbonated drink with 2/3 less sugar and sodium.  I have tried the tropical punch Koolaid and the "my water" orange flavored drink (this one is my favorite).  I received a bunch more with the machine: Orange soda, Rootbeer soda, Lemon-lime, Dr. Pete, Diet Cola, and other my water flavors too. Although I haven't tried them all, I'm giving this machine a thumbs up so far!!

I've also downloaded some new apps on my iPhone that I am anxious to play with...yep, it's always something.

Chalk the Walk

I understand that "chalking the walk" or putting one's artwork in chalk on a sidewalk is an activity offered in many cities...and well, we're just catching on.  Last night's event in front of the public library, was a first, and it was well attended by art and music lovers.  I sat in a lawn chair, sipped water, ate popcorn (thank you, Cheryl), and visited with friends. We thoroughly enjoyed watching people, viewing the art as it progressed, listening to blue grass music provided by the Low Water String Band, and (of course) knitting in the shade.  Another perfect summer evening!

Low Water String Band...and a little girl in pink, dancing to the driving beat.

Here are some pictures of my favorite finished squares of art.

Purple Sage

The purple sage plants that I planted a few years ago are now looking more established and are beginning to put out a pretty array of purple blooms.  They are drought resistant, so they are doing well out here where they get plenty of hot sun and wind this time of year.   

Top it with a wide lacy border...

I've been working diligently on the purple Accordion Scarf, and now I've finally reached the end.  All that's left is knitting the top border. I've knit three "teeth," and there are 11 total to be knit. I'm planning to have it finished in time for the Fremont County Fair. 

Travelin' Project

Seems like many gals are talking about their sock projects...mainly because they are the best ones to throw in a bag and GO.  So, here's some summer sock yarn picked out of the stash and thrown on the needles for those travelin' moments when I can sneak in a few rows.  The stitch is "plain ol' ribbing," nothing fancy.  I'm on the gussets, so it's easy sailing from here to the end of the toe.  However, I'll be "sailing" for a while...size 10!!  I like to say that I've got a lot of soul.

Haiku for Friday

Summer sun setting

Colors were ethereal

Gone within minutes

Last night's sunset prompted running out to get these photos.

Seven Lakes Trail...the trail

Over the past ten years, I've had some moments where I was riding my 4-wheeler, trying to keep up with the guys ahead of me, not seeing much else than the rocks, small boulders, deep ruts, or steep hills ahead of me.  My mind was filled with, "Yikes, geez, you're kidding me, ow, oof, auuuw, eeeiiii," instead of ,"Oh how beautiful, I love this rocking motion, those flowers are beautiful, I can't get enough of this fresh smell of pine,  or I wonder if there's a moose in that timber."

This ride in to Granite Lake was mostly an "oh how beautiful" ride, but moments of "geez and oof"  certainly came often enough.  Overall, it's a pretty rough ride, and I wouldn't recommend it to a beginning rider. 

The gals riding in the side-by-side machines have an "oh s#*t handle" (technical term in the 4-wheeling community) they can "white-knuckle" when getting jostled around.  And they were teased by their husbands for having to grab it often.  By the end of the day, my arms sure felt the strain of holding the handle bars tightly and guiding the wheels slowly through rough terrain and down steep, rocky hills.  I attempted to take some pictures (when possible) to show what the trail looked like in spots.  Of course, some of the worst didn't get photographed...too busy negotiating the next move and keeping the caravan moving along.

The last mile into the lake was pretty rough!!  That's it below.  And it was like that nearly the whole way.  I might have let slip a "you've got to be kidding!"...just once...as I pulled out my camera to take this shot. As I was jarred around, I'm pretty sure a couple of  "oofs and uuggs," escaped into my helmet.  It's actually harder on the body going down hill than going up.  I was hoping there would be a good place to turn around at the end of this, because we would have to crawl out of here! 

In the picture below, you can see we rode in pretty close to the lake, had a wide place to park, and found a nice spot to eat lunch.  From this point, we could easily hike down to the lake.

Approaching Granite Lake from the trail.

After lunch and taking time for some photos, we decided we should head out, as it looked like rain clouds were rolling up over the mountain peaks and moving in.  It took about 2 hours to ride out...and no rain, until we were loading up.  Whew!  It was just a good sprinkle, and we all hurriedly loaded our machines on the trailer, got them tied down securely, and headed down the mountain. 

The day ended with a stop in Dubois at the Cowboy Cafe for a burger and fries! And camaraderie and joking and relaxing!  The bumps in the road...slowly morphing into joyful memories.