August

Clickety Clack (softly)

I love the sound my knitting needles make when I am working on a project. I use wooden needles so it is a soft rhythmic clickety clack.  

I find my breathing falls in sync with the sound and the project becomes quite meditative. 

Tension and time fall away. It seems like in no time at all, I look up at the clock and hours have passed. 

Watching the pattern unfold is a delight. The joy of a finished project is only surpased by the excitement of casting on another. 

This is the addiction of knitting🧶

🌨winter🌨

I think somehow, I have become a winter child. This is suprising to me. When I was a child I liked sledding, riding my horse, walks in the snow but I didnt like being cold. 

Spring, summer and fall were my favorites. 

Now, this year, I have craved the cold, frost, and snow. It is totally weird and I am not sure why. 

I love the beauty of it. The quiet. The white blanket that covers, quiets, and rests.

Maybe it is my age? Maybe it is the perfection covering the messyness and struggles of life? Maybe it is the discovery of beauty in the smallest and temporary things. 

Whatever the reason I am savoring it this year until it is gone.

Camping!

We finally got the camper out for the first tim this year. I say first time with much optimism and probably a pinch of wishful thinking!

It was a wonderful time filled with great company, food, scenery, weather, and fun.

Bay shore campground was a very clean park with spacious lots, wonderful views, plenty of walking, clean showers, great landscaping, nice pool (although cold!) and a fantastic hot tub. In short, we definitely would stay there again.

The dogs had a great time too and met lots of doggy buddies.

I wish we could have stayed there longer but duty called.

Hints of Spring

The days are longer with more bright sunshine.

I hear birds auditioning their spring mating songs.

The chickens are laying eggs everyday and I am collecting more each day.

I have seen daffadils foliage poking up through the snow and some are budding already.

The winds have shifted. Every once in a while I can pick up the scent of dirt.

The ice on the local water ways has thawed.

Not quite, but almost. Soon!

Early morning...

I love early misty mornings. I am usually up by 5:00am at the latest, even though I no longer punch a clock.

There is something to be said for the still, quiet, darkness that slowly gives way to early misty shadows before breaking to full misty dawn. Even the sounds come one by one with the first chirp of a bird that slowly grows to a full song with the accompaniment of crickets and other insects.

The pups are always here to share the moments with me. Their motivation is different as they dream of catching the birds or the squirrels that come to the feeder.

Sweet Pea almost got her wish as a sparrow flew into the bird bath just off the porch.

So what to do with this gorgeous day? Who knows what adventures it holds or the paths will follow? Only way to know, is go :)

Come on pups, let's go!

I love the start of the New Year. New slate, fresh start, everyone likes something brand new right?

I know a lot of people don't give much credence to new years resolutions, but i think reviewing where you have been and outlining some basic goals is healthy.

One of mine this year is ridding out (PA slang for sure!), minimizing and getting organized by cleaning out one drawer, cubby, cupboard or closet a day. Starting with the Christmas decoration bins. We successfully completed that one this morning!

Then I rewarded the pups and I with some fresh air. It has been down around 0 and the single digits most days but today it got to 19*. We were so happy to take advantage of the sunshine and out we went!

Loved the fresh air!

Summer is Flying!

I cannot believe it is about the middle of July. It has been a very busy summer.

We are enjoying retirement immensely! Although on a budget, we are able to take trips; Quebec Canada, North Carolina, and soon MI, are able to have a small garden, visit family, help care for parents with doctor visits and other errands, herding chickens, and of course play with the pups.

My pain management has improved but I have to tell you the hoops people have to jump through are ridiculous! But I am glad it is working and I am able to do a bit more.

I have been knitting, but have really got to knuckle down and finish projects instead of being online (with the exception of this blog!)

I have not rid out my closets yet (Pennsylvanian dialect, but is a word!), oiled and prepped my sewing machine or began my spinning as yet. I believe the end of August and into the fall will be my target date for that.

My DH has enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing this summer. And of course hanging out with me :)

One of my favorite pictures and visits from this summer was with our little man "O". Going to see him real soon and can't wait to spend time with him and my youngest son and daughter in law!

To view other pictures of our adventures like the epic bear hunt, fishing hauls, knitting, gardening and pups, I'm on Instagram as @thegardener63.

Going on around here...

Curly Joe got his spring look working for him (my son thinks I could do this professionally, um thanks but no thanks!).

Progress is made on a hoodie forbourblittle man "O". Pattern is by Debbie Bliss called "ultimate Pullover".

Lots of dodging raindrops and puddles. No complaints here as daffadils are blooming everywhere and as soon as the rain quits I am going to gather a bouquet for my table and bring some sunshine in here!

DH took me for fish at Grantham's Landing in Sandy Lake. Great dinner! We had some interesting guests at dinner...

Loving the spring and retirement! Have a great weekend you all!

Just fun!

I love days like today! Other than one appointment, I or we, did not have to be anywhere, do anything at any specific time.

This has been one of my challenges because I have been a schedule person for the last...oh....thirty five years or something!

Since retirement, I have been trying to get us on some type of schedule. As my DH said yesterday, "babe that is the joy of retirement, no schedule!" It has been fun ever since :)

Some snaps from today...