No More Whispering ….

Hairy Woodpecker at Neck Point.
Hairy Woodpecker at Neck Point.

….. Spring is shouting out loud that it is on the way – around the corner even!  If only the rain would slow down, and let the sun break through!

IMG_6076 (1024x683)There are flowers in the garden, Crocus, Hellebores, Aconite and even the little Iris’s that I planted a couple of years ago are up and glowing purple! There are birds everywhere you look, singing and chirping and announcing that change is on the way.  The colours and noise of Spring is all around us now when we go for our walks.

Spotted Towhee on he path!
Spotted Towhee on he path!

Yes the trees are still bare – but that will change quickly.  There are buds on those trees!

IMG_6424 (1024x940)Even bare the trees can be incredibly beautiful.  This old Garry Oak at the Nanaimo River Estuary stands alone and is an incredible reminder of the complexity of the patterns in the bare branches of the trees.

IMG_6518 (881x1024)The Dried seed pods of the fall are amazing in their complexity of pattern.  The shapes and forms that they create are unique to each pod.

Carpeting the Ground.
Carpeting the Ground.

On a sloping bank in Bowen Park I discovered a feast for the eyes – Snowdrops carpeting the ground.  Pushing up through the roots and around the rocks and between the branches dropped from the trees above these tight, beautiful clumps of Snowdrops are determined to bloom and spread.

A promising spot!
A promising spot!

Waters are high in both Nanaimo and Millstone Rivers.  Their banks are being worn away and massive tree roots are being bared to the sun and the sky!  There are full sized trees caught up in debris catches along the banks as well.  It is fascinating to watch as the world around is changed and reformed by the work of water; whether by the wearing away on the banks of the swift running rivers or by the sudden intense bloom of mushrooms, mosses and lichens in the trees along our pathways.

Fabulous Fungi!
Fabulous Fungi!

My favorite find in the last couple of weeks was this Sharp Shinned Hawk – just hanging out on the Wires above my head.  It just sat and watched as we stopped the car to let me out to take the portrait.  I didn’t get too close, I could see that I was being watched as carefully as I was watching it!

Sharp Shinned Hawk.
Sharp Shinned Hawk.

It is truly an amazing world that we live in.  Each day we watch as the changes unfold to create a new beauty.

Happy Walking

Lynette

 

Retreat Time Again!

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Eileen’s Mittens, Shetland and Estonian Cat’s Paw patterns overlay a stockinet layer!

It is so hard to believe that the Retreat is already here!  I have been busy knitting and writing and preparing for the last month and a half – but it is still hard to believe that it is about to happen again!

We will be working on double layered mittens this time.  Eileen’s Mittens is the name of the pattern.  Worked in fingering weight alpaca these mittens are soft and oh so warm – perfect for warding off the Winter Chill.  Of course there is some lace and maybe even a few beads as well!

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Cherry Blossom Rain

We all show off just a little at the retreat and I have just finished a new shawl for just that purpose – Cherry Blossom Rain.

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This shawl was knit with Kauni, colour EE.  A gorgeous spring pink striping colourway that just made me smile as I worked my way through it.  The shaping around the bottom point was created with short rows.  I love the curve that it added to the hemline.  Of course there were just a few beads added – some triangle #5’s.

The photo shoot for my most recent patterns has kept getting delayed – it is now set for Feb 28th.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that life doesn’t through any more obstacles in my way.  Maybe it was meant to be delayed so the Cherry Blossom could be photographed at the same time.  This will be a special shoot as it will take place at a local florist’s Turley’s.  I am hoping for some really colourful shots with vibrant floral backdrops – that should suit most of the articles.

I am looking forward to sharing the results with you!

Happy Knitting

Lynette