Look down

As a kid I was always told to look up

 watch your step

 don't look down or you'll trip and fall

grownups say the stupidest things

 often what was on the ground was more interesting than then the surroundings!

forever an expert at avoiding the cracks in the pavement

skipping or jumping over them

 

There are all kinds of cool stuff on the ground

bugs, bottle caps, rocks, feathers 

 not to mention money

money to buy a piece of candy at the kiosk

 these days I find dimes on the ground

aware that dad drops a few from heaven 

so that I know he's watching me

Magic

Reading Pippi Longstockings as a child and to my kids

a particular chapter I loved- when Pippi taught Annika and Tommy to become a "thing finders"

when out with my kids and the distance became to long for their short little legs

I challenged them to become "thing finders"

which turned the whole walk into something fun

scouring for treasures

These days I do it for myself especially when my camera takes me for a walk

 Montana is still really grey makes the surroundings rather bland

so I look I down.

On my walk I found rocks displayed into interesting designs

compliments of mother nature

Lichen, delicate yet rugged

the perfect balance

the lime blends so beautiful with the greens and teal-

I get inspired to knit a sweater when I see the colors and texture it offers

contrasting with pretty whites and pinks of the birch tree

Lilly’s soft cream colored tail against the brown pebbles and the debris

The pitter patter of rain drops on the asphalt – also a secret favorite smell of mine

wet asphalt

I found a spot where fairies live in the “Moss Woods"

snuck up on one or two as they were gathering some fire wood

my last shot do you see what happened?

A Viking split a stone in two while in  fierce battle

..it's all true.

look down you might see some magic too

Spring Days

Springtime is the land awakening.

The March winds are the morning yawn.

~Lewis Grizzard

Spring is in the air

 This is one of my favorite seasons ...

More light is pouring in from morning to evening

Grass starts to spout a little all to be dumped on again by snowfall until June here on the 48 parallel

 little buds on the aspen and the pussy willow with their little fuzzies..it's all so beautiful.

 I think this might be why I chose lavender and yellow the colors of crocus I see around here. I bought yarn online for the first time in many years and was SO pleased with the quality and service. This yarn is not only yummy but it's squishy, soft and yummy.

 Craftsy.com has a really good selection

especially if you're on a budget

 

The lavender yarn is being knitted in the White Pine pattern

Found an old favorite my Green Mountain Spinnery knitting book from my book shelf 

 lovely pictures, patterns and they offer exquisite yarn

this time around I will use the yellow yarn and knit

"Moriah's wild flower cardigan"

 Heading out to Sherbrook Quebec to visit chefs family this spring break

  we are spending 2 days as per my request in Vermont.

Burlington and Stowe is on the itinerary.

The kids want to visit Ben and Jerry's...who doesn't?

 As I was looking through my book I noticed that Green Mountain Spinnery is located in Putney- unfortunately is just to far for this visit but I did see that Burlington is loaded with neat fiber shops this one in particular is on my list

NIDO

I can't wait to explore and travel it's been a year since we were in Taos and Santa Fe

Any plans for spring break friends?

Up the road

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.- Lewis Carroll

It was one of those days, grey winter days in Montana. Earth still frozen and too cold to do anything in the garden, itching to be in nature and too restless to sit inside by the fire. We took a drive up the gravel roads up the North Fork, enjoying the view and talking about how spring feels like it's almost around the corner, new hikes that needed to be explored. I found some new fishing holes it's easy to walk the river beds as the snow is still holding strong on the mountains, finding these new spots and visiting these views always remind us how we are in search of a cabin of our own up here for our family...one day.
I have come to the conclusion no matter how bad it is inside - going outside makes my insides feel better...always. When "grey" is the weather forecast, nature always has something to new up her sleeve to draw you outside and explore. In Montana all you have to do is take a road, any path or trail it will lead you to peace of mind a place of contemplation and appreciation. Nature and wilderness is where it's at and in Montana that's what's it all about.

But love of the wilderness is more than a hunger for what is always beyond reach; it is also an expression of loyalty to the earth which bore us and sustains us, the only home we shall ever know, the only paradise we ever need - if only we had eyes to see."

Edward Abbey

Red and Pink Sweater fini

Well here it is .... red and pink

 weather it goes together or not is in the eye of the beholder

however the colors are a mood lifter in grey Montana these days

Modeling it...well, this is as good as it gets

 with Lilly and Wolfie twirling around it's hard to keep track of what's going on around my legs

one wants to go in the frigid glacier water

one with a  fakery smile to distract us ( Lilly)

Joining Ginny today