Monday, November 22, 2010

As HoneyDew, Sampson, Skittles and I (you know I can't do anything without 3 sets of eyes supervising watching me) will be so busy getting ready for the holiday we won't have the time to blog. We will be counting our blessings and include our blogging buddies as one of them. So from all the Switzer's (including the furbabies)...


Author Unknown


Monday, November 15, 2010

Birds of Prey...and other "guests".

So one day a couple of weeks ago, my flock of chickens had a guest. I am not sure whether he was invited or not, but none of the chickens had their feathers ruffled and knowing my hens, well let's just say their gift of hospitality sometimes exceeds their sense!

Can you identify what hawk this is? I was thinking a Cooper hawk or immature Red Tail. As you can see the chickens aren't all that worried as there isn't anyway for the hawk to get in.




Spotted this owl along the road on my way home...sure is a beauty.


Kerry and I saw this Eagle near Lake Wilhelm.

I think they are impressive one and all.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Sampson is moping...

If you look into the back ground you can see what he is down about. Do you need a closer look?

HoneyDew and Skittles snuggling in Dad's chair.

HoneyDew says: "Snooze you loose!"

Happy DOT's!

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Latest Knitting Projects...

Off the needles and just in time!

We had two additions to our family this fall which of course meant some heavy duty knitting time. I had two sisters expecting at around the same time and both my nephew and my neice came a bit earlier then expected. I had already posted baby Jacob's gifts...

Crib Blanket pattern from Debbie Macombers Building Blocks Crib Blanket the Shop on Blossom Street
and hippo from Itsy Bitsy Toys by Susan B. Anderston.
...but as everything was happening so fast I did not get a chance to post a pic of the baby! Here is baby Jacob with big brother Josh...

Then came Miss Maddie...


for her gift which was my first attempt for knitting baby clothes...

As you can see Miss Maddie has quite abit to "grow" for!


Back view of dress. Dress made from Debbie Bliss pattern Flower Frock.
 Then of course was the little boy who saw me knitting a hat for my son and 'hinted' that he wished I would knit a hat for him since his birthday was coming up soon! He even picked out the colors he thought would look nice. Of course I couldn't make him one without making one for his little brother, although he did get to choose first!

I bet their Mom thinks this is a rare sight to see the boys this close without it being something along the lines of a headlock!

Thanks for posing guys!
 Last but not least as the temps were falling I made myself a scarf using Mochi's Bodega Bay, which I did post the colorway in a previous post, but then since I had some Merino wool in a lavendar I decided to make myself a beret also from a pattern on Ravelry called Meret. I had some of the lavendar left over so I thought I would make a pair of mittens too so I could have a complete set...




The dogs will be happy to know their treat jar came in handy as a model!
How about you? Since the temperature has started falling have you felt the desire to work wth some nice comforting wool?

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Skittles

So we have a new 4 legged addition to the household and her name is Skittles. When Skittles first arrived she was one hissing mess let me tell you. Not in appearance or anything like that. She was just...well....skittish! And she is a calico kitten. So that is how we came up with the name. Just imagine a colorful bag of Skittles hitting the floor, breaking open upon impact and candies flying every which direction at once, complete with sound effects and there my friends you have a pretty good impression of Skittles!

This kitten was hidden from people, with the rest of her litter by their mama, for approximately the first 5 weeks of her life. The person who brought her over for me to meet was bitten that very morning trying to catch her. When I met her (I had a choice between two calicos, the other one was friendlier, go figure) we seemed to make an instant connection. And within the first 24 hours no longer tried to hide from me or hiss at me. By the weeks end she was standing by the gated opening meeting the hounds, still hissing at them but no longer hiding in any cupboard/crevice she could find.


Two weeks in, she knew her name and comes running when called. She loves to climb up my leg and onto my lap. She has the dogs trained to her satisfaction. She will curl up with them and nap, plays with their tails, and their toys, and pretty much rules the roost at this point.

Trying to get a good picture of her though is almost next to impossible because she moves so quickly, even on the action setting. Here is a few that we have taken and she will be making frequent appearances here with the pups too!


Anytime I am on the computer, she is too! Loves to watch the mouse, flickering lights, etc.


Here she is telling me I have been on the computer enough by biting my finger and pouncing on my hands.


She likes grandpa and thinks he makes a nice climbing post.

Last but not least sitting with me being adorable while I am knitting! Isn't she cute!

Friday, November 5, 2010

A Real Date Night!

Every Friday, my DH and I go out for date night (generally with my Dad and Step Ma). This usually includes dinner somewhere, a trip to WallyWorld, Dunham's Sporting Goods, Ollies, or sometimes we just cut the evening short and go home. Not much to do around here on a typical Friday night unless it is near a holiday or one fest or the other.

As you know I do enjoy a glass of wine from time to time and therefore I am on the mailing list for a couple of the local wineries. About a month ago I got an email from Deercreek Winery about an event they were having last weekend...


"L ive Music This Friday Night, Oct. 29, 6:30-8:00
Cluricaun, Celtic Ensemble

The band consists of 5-7 members depending on who shows up! Hammer Dulcimer: Sally Ringland
...Tin Whistle, Concertina, & Voice: Mike McConnell
Bodhran, Harmonica, & Voice: Jim Rose
Voice: Linda Rose
Guitar: Greg Goodman & Rob Bullington
Fiddle: Karen SpuckCluricaun plays traditional Celtic Music.
Come out to the main winery and enjoy a nice evening with wine, snacks, and of course great music. This is our last one until May...be sure you make it!
~No cover charge~"
 
I am a big fan of Celtic/Irish/Scottish/ Dulcimer music and have collected a number of CD's over the years. So a chance to hear someone play my favorite instruments live time was a real thrill! After quite a lot of arm twisting recruiting the rest of the gang to go with, and a couple of others, good friends Denny and Kathie Z we were off to enjoy the evening. It was a blast! I wish there was something like this every weekend but I guess we enjoy things more if they don't come along that often.
 
Of course I wanted to share some of it with you! I did ask the group for permission to put the following clips on here so I am all legal and stuff ;-)
 
Please excuse the background noise, some people are totally RUDE, and of course this is my first attempt at posting a clip from my camera but here goes...
 

The second was a little better accoustic wise, but neither gave a true representation of just how good these muscians were...