BISON and KNITTING

I have spent the last 2 weeks in Yellowstone National Park. What did I do there for 2 whole weeks? Well, mainly knit and watch bison! Oh, I took a the customary walks, and a few drives to have a look see at wolves and grizzlies, didn’t see any grizzlies, but was told the dog looking creature running for the trees was a wolf. Not totally sure I believe the people telling me that animal was a wolf because I have been told several times by people “ look at that beautiful moose”, I look and can only see Elk in front of me. These are the Yellowstone tourist that think a great Christmas card would be to put their toddler on a breathing bison and everyone get nice and cozy for a family selfie. Yes, someone usually gets gored by a bison that didn’t see this as cute. Yellowstone had nine gorings' this summer due to these “let’s get a picture with the bison”.

This all brings me to my bison story…. 

I went above the Madison River to sit, knit and maybe see some bison move into this beautiful open space. Sure enough, Mr. Bison did not disappoint. I spent over an hour watching this bison and knitting away on a baby sweater, only to realize he was crossing the river and going to walk directly below me. I was in a very safe place to continue my knit-pearl rows. Every few minutes I would shoot a photo of Mr.Bison, all the while sitting on my bench knitting, when all of a sudden the Bison turned and started heading up the hill. I jumped up with my camera and moved into the trees to take more pictures keeping a BIG distance between him and me. It suddenly dawn on me I left my knitting on the bench and that is where Mr.Bison was going……ugh! Without thinking- I ran back to the bench, grabbed the knitting, all being WAY TO CLOSE to this Bison. I could of been the 10th goring of 2015 season at Yellowstone!

And not for a Christmas picture, but for a baby sweater that is not even for anybody, I just liked the pattern!

Since I am posting this, you all know, all turned out well. I got some pictures and saved my knitting!

But an after thought for me...why did I even think the bison would give my knitting a second look?

I have never heard of a bison grabbing anything and running with it like a dog, wolf or grizzly might for curosity sake.

I guess this knitter was not using her noggin.

Linking up with

YARN ALONG

Happy Wednesday to all!

PLANT YARN DYING

On our way home from Yellowstone, my husband made an abrupt stop on the side of the road. Not an easy thing to do when pulling a 25 foot trailer, oh no! I could not for the life of me figure out what possessed him to pull over like a man on a mission. Well, the reason was to cut for me some tumble weed blossoms, ( not sure if this is what it is really called, but a pretty yellow flower along the highway, mixed in with tumbleweeds). He cut about 3/4 of a large bucket full, slicing his hand all the while ;-(.

Today ,was my day, to plant dye some yarn. I have never done this before, but how hard can reading directions be? It is a long process all the cleaning, boiling flower heads, boiling mordant, boiling yarn in mordant, and the finally-boiling yarn the solution from boiling flower heads. My color turned out to be a lovely honey/yellow!

This was fun, playing with flowers, yarn and pretending I understood the chemistry. I have ordered 

Harvesting Color, that was recommended by ginny sheller over at Small Things.

For some bizarre reason, this plant dying yarn appeals to me. I in no way need another hobby, but I grow a garden and love flowers, so why not?

I wonder what kale would do or crab apples?

Happy Monday

It’s back to work for me in the morning ;-0)

BISON-KNITTING-BACK-AGING

Want to know why Bison fiber is so expensive?

You try shearing this guy…I dare you!

Have completed 5 knitting projects on this trip. Yes, I have been in knitting heaven, more details in a few days.

At the present moment, I need meds for my back! Went horse back riding in Galliton Natl. Park last week and have not been able to stand up straight since. Sure was fun though. The price of getting years on.

THE LATE AUGUST GARDEN

My garden has that “late August “ look and feel. You know what I mean, plants putting on that long spindly look, going from the rich green coloring to the pale green-yellow coloring. Veggies and flowers all have that dry,  thirsty look and feel, no matter how much watering they receive. 

Tomatoes, oh those tomatoes, 2015 is not their year at Little House Quilting homestead. Only two plants have produced fruit out seven plants , planted…yikes! Worse year to date for this gardner and her tomato plants. Truth be told, it’s been a difficult gardening year all around; for both veggies and flowers. But, the most wonderful aspect about grading; HOPE, hope is eternal, hope for the next garden to be planted. Thoughts of: I will be more attentive to my garden, plan the lay out better, amend the soil properly, buy seeds suitable for Colorado climate, and……….
Oh, and yes, that is my curb. The city has decided to fix sidewalks with tiny cracks in them? I can’t figure it out, with all the pot holes in the streets, why, oh why, are they tearing up my driveway and sidewalks? I’m sounding really old, complaining about how my tax dollars are being spent, even noticing how they are being spent!

Besides watching the garden, I am gathering spinning items. Late summer early fall is the time of year I get that spinning itch. I never spin enough for a big project,  like a sweater, but certainly enough for a cowl or shawl. Just enough to be satisfied with spinning,  and then completing the steps through a knitted  small project.

What are you working on?

I’m linking up with 

Soule

Mama Gardening.

She has a lovely garden!

THE GARDEN

The garden this season is poorly attended too. I will water, but, if not for Eric it would be niether weeded nor picked.  It seems that I can’t get the mojo to put it up for winter; glad I planted small this year-a third of the size years past. 

The dogs are enjoying the apples as are the squirrels! Sam and Sadie insist on bringing all fallen apples into the house.  Apparently, Sam is part squirrel and putting up his own supply for his winter enjoyment. One can never be sure when the apocalypse is going to happen.

Even the flowers appear to be wild this year. Well, perhaps next year when I have more time, I will be a better gardner. My big plan is to grow at least a third of our winter needs- hope is eternal!

Hope your garden is fairing well this summer of 2015.

Linking up with:

Soule Mama

In the Garden

YARN ALONG

I was in Gunnison, Colorado this week and while Eric was at meetings I explored the little town.

I picked up two books at a cute bookstore called the Bookworm. This book store had a little of this and a little of that. I enjoy small town book stores to find local history books, but not this time. I guess I have been in enough small towns that I have read the ones that interest me, so settled for a book on grammar. I can always use help on that subject.

Yesterday, I was knitting on my pi shawl and was overwhelmed with the fact that I have 3

huge knitting projects going and feeling “I will never get done”! I need a finish! So, I casted on for a infant baby sweater using Berroco yarn I had in stash. Hopefully I can buzz through this knit and feel like - "yes, I have a finish”, “I  can get things done”. 

Please join me at YARN ALONG and my blog friend Ginny. If you have never been to Ginny’s blog it is well worth a pop into for a visit.

THE CALENDAR TURNS

It has been a packed four days! We started the weekend with the County Fair! It has been years, I say years since I have been to the Fair-I believe  perhaps 25 years! Eric and I spent our date night eating fair food, (something you don’t want but once a year or once every 25 years). The show was great, all the animals  - but the draft horses were outstanding! Man are those animals HUGE! The chickens of course are a favorite of mine, they are so funny to watch, and yes I would love to have a flock in my yard.

Saturday, we entertained some friends from Wyoming. We entertain very rarely anymore - I hate to clean house - ugh……. And yet we should entertain often so I would clean house, it seems to be my motivator, and I love a clean house!

Next we were off to southwest Colorado - Gunnison to be sure. I have never been there and the drive was well worth it. 4 hours of wonderful serenery and knitting, can’t go wrong with that combo, can we? South Park was amazing! Not a fan of Monarch Pass though, I'm terrified of heights and driving over that Pass - twisting and turning on the outside ledge - well, lets just say I was almost in tears.

Eric and I decided not a good place for us to retire too, I would never go anywhere due to the Pass.

Knitting wise, I continue to work on the Fair Isle dress, am tearing back several rows, I want it a wee bit roomier under the arms…ahem. The Fair Isle skirt I made for Caitlin -  needs to be redone, and I continue to work on Elizabeth Zimmerman pi shawl.

The calendar turned another month and something about August that the days are HOT and the evenings cool and crisp. Oh Fall is just around the corner. Many, many gold leaves are on the trees, another sure sign that the cool lazy days of Fall are on the horizon.