a busy and wonderful week

 

This past week has been a flurry of activity.  We had guests here for the week and spent lots of time exploring, fishing, swimming, climbing tall things, smelling the linden flowers, feasting, and enjoying each others company.  It was so busy and fun and somehow restorative at the same time.

 

Yesterday I wound up the week with an event at the St. Mathias Farm where I spent the day talking to people about needle-felting.  Though the weather was less than desirable, the people more than made up for it.  What a fine bunch.  I had such a nice time.

While there I made that little mushroom duo.  It allowed me to show people exactly how that whole needle-felting thing works, and it was fun for me because we all know how much I love mushrooms, right? 

This coming week I'll be working on some stones that I hope to have finished before I leave on a trip the following week.  I'll also be putting several wool acorn ornaments in my shop this week.  They'll go in to the shop as groups but if anyone wants just one or two, send me an email and I can get them together for you.  They'll be $3 each and I can quote you shipping depending upon your location.

 

Hope you all have a great week ahead of you!

Happy Sunday.

 

 

holiday road

I'm heading off for a week or two.

I'll be doing a little bit of this...

...and a little bit of that...

...and a little more.

I hope to be back refreshed and full of stories and photos.

See you soon!

In The Pits - Exploring Close To Home

One of the places we visited on our vacation was right here in our state, the iron pits in the aptly named Ironton, a mere 20 minutes from our home.  Mining for iron ceased in this area years ago, leaving an area formed from by man, but reclaimed by mother nature.  What started as mine pits and mounds of tailings has become an area of clear water, fauna, and flora. 

We drove to the top of the "mountain" on a narrow dirt road, spitting an orange rusty cloud behind us.  Even the trees had a rusty hue, and I couldn't help but wonder what the wood looked like on the inside.  When we reached the top, we looked out over the lakes as an eagle flew overhead.  The string of lakes is where the mines were following the vein of iron.  Looking down, it was easy to forget that these were not formed by ma Nature herself.  It was quite beautiful.  

Of course, I had to do a little rock-picking and came home with a small group of beauties.  Each looks like a landscape in and of itself.  They ranged in size from these small pieces to giant boulders.  Quartz dotted the rocky landscape and I even found an agate or two.  The iron of course is what gives my beloved Lake Superior agates their color.

Plant-wise there were many sumacs, currants, and even prickly gooseberries.  Down by the lake we saw milkweed being munched by a Monarch caterpillar.  The boys dipped in the clear water and we all watched the loons.  It was a fantastic day and I'm eager to go back with my good camera and field guide and spend more time.

Don't you love it when you discover something like this in your own backyard?  What have you discovered lately?

Back To Life

Vacation!

Swimming, boating, mud-playing, fishing, exploring, black raspberries, berry-stained fingers, mosquito bites, lily buds, fresh asparagus, comfort food, s'mores, campfires, friends, family, beaches, conversation, appreciation, relaxation, excitement, hugs, kisses, visits, running, jumping, wandering, rock-picking, wondering, marveling...

Wonderful.

Back to normal life, but keeping some of this magic with us.

Time To Play!

It's been a busy week here. Lots and lots of acorn-making was done, several hundred in fact, and now I'm taking a wee break. I'll see you all soon!