2012 is off to a good start for me. I feel like I have already accomplished a lot of goals, and have a good handle on where I'm going this year. It's a good feeling to be organized and ahead of the game. One of the reasons for this is that I have cut back on teaching this year. Except for Stitches West in February, I don't currently plan to teach this year. I'm taking a little sabbatical in order to concentrate on some other big plans I have in the works. So, grab me at Stitches West if you plan to attend!
the other reason for this is Miriam, my assistant. She began working with me halfway through last year, and with her help I've gotten things organized and the workflow flowing. I don't know what I'd do without her now! Miriam also doubles as my model, so if you've been admiring all the beautiful model shots lately on my blog - you can thank Miriam! Not only is she organized and efficient, but she's photogenic too.
I've been working on a lot of deskwork lately and haven't had as much time to sit down and knit, but I finally finished the mitts for the malabrigo set. I just LOVE this yarn, and it looks great on everyone who tries it on. It must be made of magic! So I now have a complete set - and I'm busy writing up the pattern. The only problem is, I don't have a name for this set - any ideas? Usually I'm quick with the names, but sometimes they elude me. You can see the lovely Miriam modeling below.
And I've also gotten into the birdies lately. As in, watching birdies. My neighbor next door has a lovely garden and lots of bird feeders. And I am jealous! So I have begun my stealthy plot to poach some of the birdies from her yard to mine by putting up feeders of my own. So far I have sunflower seeds in one, thistle in another and a suet feeder. But the birdies still seem to be having a party in her yard... I think it just takes a little time for them to discover my goodies.
And speaking of birdies, a beautiful bird flew into our window last week and stunned itself. It fell down on the deck with its wings all splayed out, and I was sure it was a goner, or at least had a broken wing. But we watched it carefully for several hours and it got up, and rested, then eventually flew off. My friend Joan Schrouder identified it for me as a Varied Thrush. Now I see them all the time! (Especially in my neighbor's garden - haha) Aren't they pretty?
I hope he finally got rid of the headache. ouch!
And I'm finally back in the land of delicious. Last year I signed up for a CSA share from one of my local farms. If you've never heard of CSA, it stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and basically you pay money to a local farmer and they give you a share of their harvest each week. I was really enjoying it last year, but then I had to do a bunch of traveling so I quit for a while. I finally got around to signing back up, and all I can say is yum! I love getting my share each week and finding all kinds of things that are new to me. I never realized how many varieties of kale there are, for example, nor that they all taste different! This week is delicata squash.... mmmm! And the fresh eggs are heavenly. CSA shares are available just about everywhere, so look for a local one near you! You could be in the land of delicious too.
Be patient with the birdies... with all the bounty in the neighbors yard it'll take them a while to notice the new food source.
Do you have any hummingbird feeders? There's at least one breed (type?) that winters over, and wow they're fun to have around! Be prepared to be dive-bombed though...
Posted by: Geek Knitter | January 30, 2012 at 05:29 PM
Mmmmalabrigo.
All your Mmmmalabrigo is belong to us. Resistance is futile.
Posted by: Miriam | January 30, 2012 at 10:19 PM
A number of shepherds also have CSA share programs for their wool. I have done two in the past, one resulting in some wonderful Coopworth roving and the other resulting in a variety of lovely tops & rovings that included wool from the shepherd's Cormo flock. CSAs don't have to be just for food!
Posted by: BlueLoom | January 31, 2012 at 07:10 AM
Janel, how lovely!! Colors remind me of your wine country there in the Willamette Valley. Maybe you could draw a name from that region. Those who have taken a class from you, and know what a wonderful teacher you are, are sad that you have cut back on your teaching, but out of that decision I am sure great things will transpire.
Posted by: Lori Lawson | January 31, 2012 at 07:39 AM
Janel,
The first picture where the colors are a little more saturated reminded me of moss colors--who knows why--and all of the luscious mosses in the coast range. Perhaps "Coast Range"? Some bird-related trivia, I grew up in Eugene and developed my birding interests through an 8th grade ornithology science elective at Kennedy Jr. High, taught by Bob Bumstead in the mid-70s (he was also an English teacher with the confidence to teach Shakespeare to junior high students). It was (maybe obviously) the first class of the day and most days (even in the drizzle) we took binoculars and went out hiking the suburbs of that part of town. Great birding habitat (and some great birders!) in and around Eugene!
Posted by: Janet | January 31, 2012 at 05:13 PM
Hi Janel, I love the Hat Set!!! Looks like Stained glass to me. Something along those lines, however I do like the idea of the Willamette Valley wines from one of the first posts on this. Regardless these colors are really my colors.... did ya know I'm having a birthday really soon?? :=)
Have a good day. Love Tammie
Posted by: Tammie | February 01, 2012 at 06:30 AM
Mmm. Love the set -- and as soon as you release the pattern, I think I have the first item in my Holiday knitting queue. :)
Posted by: Caro | February 03, 2012 at 06:15 AM
Your hat, cowl, and mitts set is beautiful! Love the colors. That thrush is really pretty too. What great pictures you got of him!
Posted by: Karen Frisa | February 14, 2012 at 10:27 PM