A pair of Socks!

The sock yarn below was such a pleasure to work with, I had never knitted with Koigu before and what a joy it was. The yarn reminded me of Monet's garden paintings (above). This is the second time I've knitted the Embossed Leaf Pattern sock and I loved the interplay of color with the pattern.

I am also over the second sock syndrome and joyfully completed the second one (see below for proof). They looked lovely with the volunteer Sweet Peas that meanders up my Japanese Maple in the front yard and also gently cradled by my gigantic French Lavender shrub.

SOLVANG

While I was on my vacation in July one of the places I also visited was the quaint Danish inspired town of Solvang. Here is one of the cottages (see below) at the Motel where I stayed (alas they were not available during my trip, but I thought them cute). The motel was simple without alot of perks, but the town is a wonderful place to walk (as you can see from the photo above the Architecture gives the town its character). The air is clean as it is surrounded by miles of foothills, there are loads of shops, places to dine and even a yarn/spinning shop (which I won't go into details on as they did not want to become too busy with visitors - a rather odd remark, but I will respect their wishes and they will remain nameless).
The food isn't all Danish either and I chose to have dinner at an Italian restaurant called Cafe Angelica, they have things on the menu that were not your typical Italian menu. So being on vacation I ventured away from my norm and stared with mussels and clams which were so fresh and very very yummy, sopped up with some superb garlic bread!

After dinner the Latte that arrived was simply decadent and what should I have to accompany it?

DESSERT!!!! Now keep in mind that Solvang is full of bakeries, but they had so many fabulous things to choose from here that I just had to have one, It was hard to pick just one, but the aroma of rich dark chocolate that wafted from the chocolate cake was overwhelming (it turned out to be one of the best I have ever tasted). I did not feel too guilty as I had been walking most of the day and strolled about a bit more before returning to the Motel.
Solvang is famous for its Aebelskiver, so I felt it my duty to order it for breakfast, (just so that I could get a photo of it for you - yes I'm so self sacrificing). It's doughy and not too sweet which goes so well with the Raspberry Jam that tops it. (are you drooling yet?)
Thank you for sharing my vacation with me. I love to travel - to experience new places or to revisit ones that have grown dear to my heart.

Color in Carmel

My suite at the Inn was complete with a darling kitchen - I loved the old tile and the colorful red & white wallpaper. I do feel a little guilty that I did not make full use of it, but we discovered a great place for seafood that was so reasonable - I tried my first raw oysters and was quite surprised how much I liked them (petite little ones that were sweet and easy to swallow). They also had an incredible seafood sandwich that had fresh crab and shrimp in it that we ended up sharing - so yummy!

The place had its quirks, like the TV's on/off button was broken, the remote did not work, the VCR decided to break (yes I said VCR) and the spring on the coffee maker did not go down all the way so it flooded the counter with coffee - did I mind these little oddities - frankly no, it just seems to go along with an older Inn, the room was clean and the bed was comfy, but my favorite part was that the heat for the room was provided by the fireplace - you turned up the thermostat and on it came!

There was a nice little courtyard with a fireplace that our rooms opened onto and there was also a dining room where you could serve yourself breakfast. In the afternoon there was fresh baked cookies (chocolate chip with REAL BUTTER), wine and a nice variety of cheeses.

My favorite part of the grounds were the beautiful flowers. I like the color combinations, for instance the petite white flowers against the Burgundy.

The Pinks, Blues and Lavenders, gazing at this photo during this post made me think of how pleased Fairies would be dancing among these petals on a morning when they would be bejeweled by dew.

The yellows mixed with the various shades of purple are so peaceful, the sweet scent of the Allysum filling the air. Carmel's colors are softened by its weather, its the perfect backdrop for them. In my opinion Flowers are very photogenic - don't you think?

FABRIC

While on my trip I came across fabric stores! San Luis Obispo has a great fabric and craft store where I purchased the above fabric to create headbands for one of my friends. Lila seems to approve the my choices (she wasn't even in sight when I laid down the towel - 30 seconds later - there she is!!!)

On my trip to Solvang I discovered a quilt store and purchased a few fabrics - I'm not sure that I have all the fabric yet, but plan on starting a quilt for my Darling little Niece. I had the darnedest time trying to lay them down, Lila kept batting at each fabric square, so I quickly shot the photo (you can see her little paw taking another swat at them, but at least my fingers are out of the way this time). I do so hope it turns out as I let the cat out of the bag (I am a bit nervous about this - my first quilt).

Carmel By The Sea

The beauty of the beaches along Carmel is apparent even when the weather is cold and drizzled at times. 51 degrees in July - quite a shock to the system after the warmth of Arizona with 100 plus temps! I have so many photos that I liked from this quaint town that I will have to divide it over a few posts. Every where you turned the vistas were stunning, charming architecture, pretty gardens, flowers flourished everywhere. I wanted to share in the post a little of the shores of Carmel By The Sea.

There was drift wood strew about among the cliff side plants, you didn't need to try mess about too much with trying to find a good angle to shoot from. Everywhere I turned and took the photo, it just seemed right.

I love the way the branches reach into the frame of the picture, it feels like you could step into this photo, it has depth, the foggy background makes you wonder what lays beyond. For some reason the ocean smelled especially briny (I can still recall its aroma, much different from the Southern California beaches).

I remember wading through the sand to get this photo, the sand is so very soft and your feet sink in with every step, the bare limbs in the background looked almost like a dancing figure when it was misting.

Sedona

Sedona is an awesome place and I can see why it inspires artists to paint its vistas, even just the average joe like me can't help but want to capture its image. There is an energy about this place that causes one to become silent. You want to hear the whisper of the wind and the gentle calls of its birds and insects.

The rocks change so much, depending on the light, when the sun is bright the rocks are a much deeper red. As I came into this Valley the colors just jumped out at you, surprising you at its intensity - so vibrant and alive (we had just came through Phoenix with its dull sandy soil and extreme heat). The surrounding mountains though beautiful in there own way do not prepare you for Sedona. I can understand why so many want to live here, the architecture of the local buildings is very chic, galleries, boutiques and fine dining abound - quite dear to the wallet. That is why this motel was so surprising, its very simple and decent - also affordable.

The sign speaks for itself, straight forward and no nonsense. I really did not feel the need for anything more, the area surrounding it is full of restaurants that you can walk to and galleries that you can visit.

At the end of the motel was the best part, a nice covered patio. I had my coffee here and sat listening, gazing at the surrounding red hills and jagged peaks. Little bees visited me and hovered about eye level for a few moments before moving on. A fellow lodger came and joined me - he and his wife were celebrating their 20th Wedding Anniversary. It was so sweet to hear him sing her praises, he was happy with his life (he is a landscaper and was so glad that it could provide them with this vacation). A kind an gentle man who enjoyed the simple things in life.

Just down the street was a sweet collection of shops & restaurants. The sign above was charming and to me was an artistic expression - announcing the presence of a cafe. The things of everyday were made with an appreciation - something for the eyes to enjoy.

Here is another approach to the same set of shops, but with a different feel. The sound of the water and the statues evoke a Mediterranean feel.

And yet another approach makes it feel like you are standing in a European garden, I like the different approaches and the lack of a central theme, it feels spontaneous. Sorry no knitting to show you, I did work a little on the lace scarf, but I've already shown you that and it still has a long ways to go.

Green Valley

The Green Valley is a place I would like to experience during its cooler seasons, I would love to explore the local parks and visit some of the tribes that live here, but when the weather is over 100 degrees, I just made a beeline for the resort and hid from the heat and I am so glad that I did, the place was an indulgence. View from the Resort- the sky took your breath away with its beauty, the clouds danced across the sky, this is monsoon season and the clouds patterns were fascinating, in one cloud formation you could have dark grey, graduating up to a pure white, I've never seen anything like it.

The love seat was so comfy, the kind you sink into, so you grab a book and lay back, its the perfect size for me to curl up into with a nice glass of wine.

I did not get the chance to use the dinning table, but loved the idea of it being there. Egads - I just had an epiphany, with my new found interest in quilting, this would be the perfect place to do one of my projects! Can't you just see my sewing machine at one end and a WIP spread out behind it.

I did get a chance to briefly use the kitchen, the oven is so large, I've never used one like this before and felt a little guilty using it for such a little thing as a quiche, but you know what a new toy is like, you just have to use it. The kitchen is well stocked with wine glasses, dishware and some appliances, but if you really serious about your cookware, then you might want to bring one or two of your favorite ones. When I return I want to bring along a Le Creuset pot to make a stew - can you use them on the flat top stoves?

The bed was very, very comfy with a nice view of open fields. I had intended to do a little knitting right before I retired (honestly I did), but fell asleep with my knitting bag sitting on the bed beside me, the lights and TV on. I guess the long 8 hour drive in all that heat took a toll on me.

The next morning I had a luxurious bubble bath and soaked while reading one of Yarn Harlot's books, it just doesn't get much better than this. My vacation continues, next is Sedona, followed by Carmel by the Sea and then Solvang. I will be posting those soon along with photos of my latest yarn and fabric finds.

Redondo Beach

Spent part of the weekend in Redondo Beach and started off my day with breakfast at CJ's. The food is good and the portions are generous. It has a beachy casual atmosphere and the walls are painted with beach scenes (as you can see from below). The waitresses are so sweet, they were checking on me regularly and filling up the little coffee cup (even before it was halfway down).

A walk was in order after breakfast, the beach is only a couple of minutes away, so I strolled down there and this view greeted me. There is a Marina nearby so lots of boats were in the area. There is something majestic about the way they glide through the water, there were Sail boats as well, but they were not cooperative about having their photo taken.

There are rocks piled up everywhere and it was mesmerizing watching the waves wash up on them, splashes of white spray filled the air, the ocean air is so relaxing, you feel all your tensions ease away and your breathing becomes deeper. There is nothing like the smell of the ocean, once you've experienced it - it will linger in your memory.

Doesn't this look tropical? I thought of some of my readers when I took this photo. The Palm Trees really do lend to the landscape, I had taken them for granted until someone had commented on them. It opened my eyes and I take notice of them now.

I even take the time to look up at them and admire their foliage with the blue skies as their backdrop. Birds love to nest in them, especially if they are a little less tidy than this one. They hide their nests among the older fronds that can form a dense cover for them.

I have chosen a few more companions for the pink and white fabric that I had previously purchased. I think they get along quite well. Now what to do with them. I'm still pondering on this.

Title?

My knitting time was almost non existent during the past week or so, horrendously long work hours just wore me out. It looks like its over with for now and so I can resume knitting on my Petra scarf (definitely not a quick knit, but very rewarding as you see the scarf start to grow little by little {I had inch by inch, but that would just be too fast}). Perhaps my readers won't mind my sharing photos of things that catch my eye - to see the wonders that surround us from another's viewpoint. I am finding that I love knitting lace and being a slow knitter with not a lot of spare time, well, there just wouldn't be much to show you. I have been inspired by fellow bloggers and their talents. Pat's quilts have been so incredibly beautiful that I picked up a few pieces of fabric, they look quite pretty together and perhaps I could add some solid white and a solid pink to them - or maybe some green - so confusing -what do you think? I'm not quite sure what to make with them, perhaps a tote? Any suggestions? I have never quilted before, but so admire the craft. For those of you who haven't visited Pat's blog, I highly suggest that you browse it, her knitting is as beautiful as her quilts and she takes wonderful photos that show the details of her craft. (You'll see her blog listed on the side under my favorite blogs).Nature inspires me, as I was exploring quilt patterns, I could see how the colors of a quilt could be inspired by nature and the colors she combines. The pinks above with the muted pinky browns of the stems and the green in the leaves. Or the various shades of yellow and greens of the rose bush below. I can see how all this inspiration can lead to love of fabric, for its color, texture and designs, now add to that all the beautiful quilts patterns available and the countless projects that could be created - its simply dizzying! For now I will exercise patience and bide my time, exploring this new interest and savoring it like a good read or a fine glass of wine - to be enjoyed.

Lila

My dear little kitty Lila is fascinated by my camera. She is staring at it almost mesmerized and makes a beeline for me every time I want to take photos of projects, yarn... her sweet little face instantly melts my heart and I forgive all her trespasses. Some kitties just love to be blog stars.

There are some stark places in California that have a certain strange beauty. This area I believe is called Red Rock where some friends went primitive camping (shudder). In the summer it is baked by the blazing sun and hot dry winds. It almost looks like it could be another planet.

July 4

This is a painting of my father who was a World War II veteran. His name was Willis, but everyone called him Bill. He was a Sergeant and retired from the Army after 20 years of service. Wish I had wonderful things to say and sweet memories to share with you, I've read so many accounts of tender moments with a dear parent and they touch my heart. But I wouldn't be here without him, so I can honor him in this way.

Petra Scarf

I was a little down in the dumps about the last lace scarf I tried and frogged, just was not sure what to knit. In Smariek's comment she gave couple of great suggestions and I decided to try knitting her lace scarf called Petra and it is coming along wonderfully. Definitely have to pay attention to this pattern and I like the challenge of it. I can see its beauty as I knit, it has such a nice flow and weight to it.

The Angee sock from Cookie's book fits well and was easy to knit. I used a merino and bamboo blend that was hand dyed by Celtic Memory Yarns in Ireland. This yarn very, very soft, don't you think its goes well with this pattern?

Los Angeles is full of bakeries, this one is a Jewish Bakery (just down the street from the LA Farmer's market) everything that I had purchased there was delicious. I loved the old sign, its nice to see that not everything has to be torn down and redone (Orange County is infamous for that).

Don't you love receiving gifts? I dear friend of mine surprised me with this book, it has notes written in it (most likely a high school student) and there was an old paint sample card from 1977 that someone had used as a bookmark. I have never read a book like this before, it is unusual and interesting. Out of curiosity I looked it up on the Internet and the school still exists, the daughter of the founder now runs the school using his principles.

HAPPY! HAPPY! HAPPY!

I have found a yarn store - not very local (4o miles away). But the best one around, its called Wildfiber and is located in Santa Monica. It is a high end store and contained so many yarns that I had read about on your blogs, they encouraged me to look around - no pressure, just take my time. I found some Rowan and in the back they have a sale area where I SCORED some Koigu. There were so many more yarns to drool over, but I restrained myself and walked away with just a few things.

Look at all that beautiful yarn!!!!!!!!!!!!

Winners

We have two winners for my give away, Cathleen won the first gift that included all the sock yarn. The second gift which included the Rosewood knitting needles was won by Brown Bear. I have sent you both an email and look forward to receiving your information so that I may send you your gifts. I had not realized how much I would enjoy this whole experience and will not wait an entire year again before I have another one. The only sad part was not being able to give everyone something. (By the way I used a Random Number generator to select for me)

GRAY

I love the gray days of June and when I looked at my WIP noticed they are all GRAY! I found this profoundly funny and thought I would share this with you. The days are gentle now and I was even able to stroll the parking lot at work in the afternoon. The sounds are different then and I was greeted by the cries of a Dove, the beat of a Hummingbird’s wings, and the song of a Mockingbird - all in just a 15 minute stroll. These gentle skies allow the Agapanthus petals to glow attracting Hummingbirds and Honey Bees and how beautiful the Jacarandas look towering against the soft skies.

One of my projects was a lace scarf which is now in the frog pond, the pattern was complex and interesting, but just want not to my taste, with all that work I want it to be something I love, so I will have to search out another design. Does anyone have any suggestions on a lace scarf pattern?

I also have another candidate for the Frog Pond, I loved the design, the colors of this Koigu sock yarn are fabulous, but it was just too big and there would not have been enough yarn to make this into knee highs, so I have to look for a new pattern. Any suggestions for patterns? Has anyone worked with this yarn before?

Blogiversary Give Away

I am celebrating my one year of Blogging with a Give Away. I had so much fun picking out these sock yarns, the large skein in the middle is Opal, the two blue ones on the side are Wildefoot and the pair in the front is Red Heart (the Red Heart is really fabulous - it contains aloe, very very comfortable to wear). All of these comprise the first gift.

Gift #2 is some really pretty Berrocco "Zen" yarn and the most gorgeous Colonial Rosewoodknitting needles, I absolutely fell in love with the beauty of these needles.

RULES TO WIN

1. Leave a comment and if you don't have a blog, then also email me indicating which comment was yours.

2. If you have a blog and reference this giveaway on it, then that counts as an extra entry (please be so kind as to let me know).

The deadline to enter is June 15. I will be selecting two winners at random and post them on my blog.