Our Fall Adventure, Part 1: Arches National Park

Once again, as the leaves changed color, we loaded up for a family road trip.  This time, we decided to start with a park that none of us had visited--so we left at 4 AM for Moab, UT.  

I was amazed at the beauty--I has not expected simple stone arches to be so peaceful and powerful--but I am learning that I am drawn to that timeless combination of stone and sky.  I also loved how accessible each arch was--definitely within the wheelhouse if an anti-hiker and a 4-year-old!

First stop--Balanced Rock--which highlights the fragility of these time and nature-sculpted art pieces.

Mr. Cool and Lincoln's favorite hike was through a narrow crevasse and sand to Sand Dune Arch, which awed us with its colors.

An easy climb led us to Windows and Turret--more lovely arches, forming perfect frames for sky.

Early the next morning we set out on a longer hike to Landscape Arch, which is an amazingly fragile piece of stone.

On our way back, we viewed Pine Tree and Tunnel Arch.

A simply grand trip--and we had just begun our adventure!  (I will leave you with one of this knitter's favorites:  Sheep Rock!)

Happy Halloween!

Lincolnstein chose and helped design his own costume this year--it just keeps getting more fun!

He had a grand adventure trick or treating, and was even more excited to hand it out.  What a lad!

Halloween Craftacular!

Thanks to Pinterest, I had loads of ideas for crafty times at our preschool.  I did have to release any perfectionism, or desire for things to look just right.  Lincoln is more of an abstract artist.

Monster googly eye art--he drew some squiggles and was done.  I could have done this for an hour!

This was one of my favorites--paint chip pumpkins and Frankensteins.  The normal-ish ones are mine--Lincoln is the abstract artist.

Tape and paper mummy--and more googly eyes!

Q-tip skeleton--head by mom

We both got a bit frustrated with this spiderweb, although he was happy at the end.  It's time for some kiddie lacing/sewing practice.

Marshmallow ghost--he's saying boo!

We have a whole gallery of our Halloween art--and I've already got him looking forward to creating a Thanksgiving one!

ETA:  the artist added to the ghost!

It's time to wear wool!

I made my dad a simple cowl out of lovely Chugwater blue merino wool.

I made myself a bright rainbow cowl out of alpaca and wool yarn that pooled pleasingly.

I also finished my first pair of patterned socks--in Ron Weasly wool yarn, in a pattern called the Burrow.

I started these on my way to Alaska and finished them last night.  Five months is pretty good for me when it comes to socks!

A Day at the Ranch

We spent a beautiful fall day with Grandad Cool at the ranch in Wyoming!

Lincoln helped feed his first bag of cattle cake to help move some heifers.

He also got to ride in the back of the truck with dad.

He went for a ride on the same merry-go-round I played on in elementary school.

He went on a walk down to the creek to throw rocks.

He explored a little with Grandad.

And then he slept while we fed some more cows and calves.  Quite a day!

Blog Catch-Up: sewing and growing boy

Having completely recovered from my sewing injury--not even a scar!--I've been continuing to work on my sewing skills.  

Using great directions from Pinterest and awesome fat quarters, I made a case for my nook.  Unfortunately, the directions were for a kindle, so it's a tight squeeze, but it does protect the nook, so it works!

I've sewed myself about four different styles of headbands.  This one is my favorite.

Look how big he is!  His legs seem so long to me.  Sheesh.

Behind on the Blog: knitting catch-up

I have definitely fallen behind on the blog--and I need to catch up!  This is my journal and scrapbook--and I need to keep it going.  That, and my dad complains.

I've knit a few cowls:

Stonehenge Neck Warmer in Malabrigo Roanoke for Mr. Cool's birthday

Zuzu's Petals in Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe in teal for Sista Cool's half-birthday and ovarian cancer awareness month

The Denver Cowl in Textiles a Manos La Perfecta for me.

And I've knit one of the world's cutest baby hats, in my opinion:

Baby Viking hat in Cascade 220.

I have lots more projects close to the finish--including more cowls.