{April phools}

Seriously, who yarn bombs a turtle? LOL

found @ Misstitched

{WIP Wednesday}

I broke out ye olde Singer last night, and set it up on a fold out table. At the fabric store a few nights ago, Bird (DD age 3 1/2) picked out a pattern and asked if I would sew it for her. Ready for a new challenge (and feeling a little guilt that I haven't made her a dress since she was about 1 1/2) I happily agreed.

At the moment I just have the main fabric - Strawberry Shortcake yay! - but I'm looking forward to hitting up the store by myself for a contrast fabric, and maybe even a little lace trim. Fun!

Still a constant W.I.P. are my dreadlocks. Right now the color is a mish-mosh of washed out burgundy, my natural brown, and bleach. I'm not crazy out it but, it doesn't bother me enough to run out and buy more color right now.

Like my Dali impression? ;)

Freshly washed yummm

{frequent visitors}

Harry and Maude enjoying brunch

Aside from allergies killing me, I love this time of year. I'm no honorary Audubon Society bird watcher but, I love to sit and listen to them sing, even if I can't see them. Seeing them though, is always fun and filled with chances to learn something new.

Take for instance, Harold and Maude, one of two male and female Cardinal pair that visit our front yard a lot. Till today, they were somewhat predictable. Usually, I will see Harold first, flying into our plum tree scoping out the scene. Very shortly after, here comes Maude landing next to him. They will hop down to the lawn and enjoy the buffet together before flying to a few different branches here and there around the yard, and then they shoot off to the right of our house to the trees two houses down.

Today started out normal... and then the "new guy" showed up. Harold and Maude had just started to peruse the grass when what I think was a Tree Swallow came down onto the grass to join them. Maude literally disappeared! Harold left the grass, and instead decided he would forage in the dirt under the bigger tree near where I park. I noticed the wren didn't care, he kept right on eating.

Maude kept to the big tree, instead of the plum, and Harold poked around the ground for a few more minutes before they left.

Now, Harry and Maude had been just fine with the wrens and finches it usually shares brunch with, but what was so different about this new guy?

Curiouser and curiouser.

New buffet grounds for Harry today

Maude on a high perch

the homewrecker

Sorry the pics couldn't be better! I took them thru the screen so I wouldn't startle the birdies! CLICK to make 'em bigger!

{WIP Wednesday}

I'm not really a sock knitter but I couldn't resist these!

Slow but steady progress on the first of two Trellis socks I'm working on. I like the cuffs on my socks a bit on the short side so, instead of 4 pattern repeats for the cuff, I only worked one before starting the heel flap.

Yay for heel flaps!

The Trellis Socks are a design from Lorraine Ehrlinger. Mediumweight Socks That Rock in "Chickabiddy".

{progress}

Nature's progress ...

...and my own

The Clapotis pattern was originally featured in Knitty Fall 2004. I'm working mine with Socks That Rock mediumweight in "Lucy". As of right now, there are 17,247 Clapotis projects featured on Ravelry, with 1,971 actually "in progress".

While I'm at it, I may as well share some additional info :) The inspiration behind the color "Lucy"? Why, a kitty, of course!

photo borrowed from Wendy Knits

{hey there, soldier}

Just tootin' my own military spouse horn here ;) Or maybe I'm just happy (read: shocked!) that I finally got a new picture of my hubby in uniform. Before this, all I had was his basic pic...and they take those in the first week or so of basic, not after they are all hooah and cut from training so hard. That's like sooo 5 years ago :p

Right now we are in mid-PCS spin cycle - and boy howdy, does it suck eggs. Originally, hubby received orders to go to Alaska = great! A new adventure for our family. Well, not so. I was not given clearance and sponsorship for medical reasons. Totally frustrating! Now we are hoping the orders for Alaska will be cancelled, and we can move as a family to either Washington state or Colorado.

Hopefully soon I can report back with happy news!

Thank you, military, for wringing my patience and last nerve out!