Hard Times

Gone for a while..as I have been gone. Have photos, but it hurts to pull them up. Been forbidden to knit, so much pain lately and no one knows why. Shoulders and neck, arms that were doing well, but then everything went to Hell. I hope to be back one of these days. Forgive my not commenting on blogs that I love. Wishing all who come here love and grace.

Ellen.

"Dishing It Up"

..as in making dishcloths for some Christmas presents. Not exactly on most peoples' wishlist, but I do know that some really like them. My photos are not very good. I blame the light outside today. It's been very dreary and quite rainy at times. It is always a delight to blame trash photos on the light! 

The last one is obviously not completed. The pattern, I believe, is called The Almost Lost Dishcloth. When you have completed fourteen points, you seam it up and then close the hole in the middle. It is a fun knit and turns out quite lovely. The first ones I also like. I don't know the name of them and when you knit them, they look as if they will never become a square...but, magic happens and they do. 
Wishing all a wonderful week, and sending loving thoughts to some who are going through very hard times now.
With love, Ellen.

Farewell

Dear October,
You were splendid. Do not tell the others, but you are my favorite month. You brought bright sunny days, not too hot, chilly and misty mornings, the right amount of gentle rains and such radiance.
I love you October. You are never to be removed from my heart.

Wooly bears, hops, gourds, pumpkins, brilliant spider webs, feathers, lovely views of our bridge and your breathtaking colors.
Wishing all a lovely and happy November,
Ellen.
p.s. Dearest October, I do not mean to offend you or to cause hard feelings, but I am a bit disappointed that you did not take the fruit flies with you. They are still in residence here. I know you can't do everything. 

Fall

I picked these the other day. 

Hops for pillows

Hops for sleep

Are they not lovely?

  

Wishing all a good week.
Ellen

Gifts From the Garden

***Yellow crookneck squash***

A horrendous and out of control case of cellulitis?

A crippling skin disease?

Abuse of steroids?

Or, late night encounters while unprotected?

Beats me.

Gorgeous week wishes for everyone.

Ellen

Walking Around the Nursery and Pastures

Yesterday I took a walk through the nursery and by some of our pastures. We do live in the midst of all of this busyness. It works out just fine as we are a wholesale nursery and I still am able to have privacy which makes me very happy. I have only to stroll out the door and can meander fifty-ish acres. I hope you enjoy these photos. (For some reason I cannot close up with some words below the last photo...It's a good thing that you cannot hear me swear! So I will wish all of you a happy weekend. Sending love, Ellen.)

Too Much

Made tea.. made tea.. sipped Scotch.. cursed.. called on God.. held close to those I loved who were near.. said prayers.. cried again..looked for answers.. asked for answers.. prayed for answers...no answers..too much.. too much..sat with dogs..

What is wrong with this country..why do we have to have damned guns?

This all relates to the small community college that is not that far from where I live..perhaps an hour and a half away. Many of the kids I had in school over the years went there..I went there at times for teacher in-service. This tragedy happened in Roseburg, Oregon. It has happened all over this country. This is just not o.k. 

I certainly cannot fix it. I cannot make anything better, except the smallness of the place that surrounds me. 

I can send loving thoughts to people who know me not..but perhaps that is a beginning..and, in comfort because this has been too close, I can gather images that help me to heal..because I have lost some loved ones.

Love, Ellen.
(re-reading this, I see I need to be clear..no one in my family was harmed.)

Glorious Colors

Morning sky

Evening sky

Growing Granny
Hoping to reflect the skies.
Love, Ellen.

August Leaving

Last night, through the open window, I heard the garden gate gently open and the padded voices of warm greetings between age old friends. The crickets, in anticipation, rested their fiddles. All was still except for the muted voices of August and September.

September whispered her admiration for August's work.

"I see you have been so busy and I know you must be tired and ready for rest."

"Yes, I am tired and I am ready to relax and to hand everything over to you, September. Look at all you carry with you..your paints, your brushes and the glorious colors of your threads and the gleaming of your sharp needles. It must be such a pleasure and a joy, this work that you will do."

"It is, but truly I only begin it. October will come along and add the flourishes and brilliance that I cannot do. And I have heard that November eventually erases all but the reluctant browns of the steady oaks."

 "Do you ever find it a bit ironic and startling that each of us will smudge and change the unique beauty of one another?" asked July.

Stifled warm laughter flowed in from both of these amazing forces. 

There continued soft exchanges until the midnight striking of the clock. All fell silent until I heard the small rustle of the calendar page as August nestled herself against July's back.

"Let me tell you about September," she breathed.

Coasters or Mug Rugs

These are lots of fun to make and so easy.  Do a search for Criss Cross Coasters and you will find several tutorials. I'd leave a link here, but that implies I know how to do that...and that I do not know how to do.
I made a whole bunch a while back ago and gave them all away. I love how colorful they are. I ended up not using any interfacing because I like the corners to be a bit more crisp and I think they are quite substantial without the extra weight.

The instructions call for using charm packs which I had on hand, but of course you can chop chop with the scissors and forget the charm pack.
Hoping all of you are having a stellar weekend. 
p.s. we got a bit of rain last night without the added drama of electricity in the air. your good thoughts made it happen, that's for certain.
Love, Ellen.

Small Shots

Hoping that all of you are having a lovely week. It's been beautiful here today. Warm but not unbearable and the smoke from all of the wild fires has stayed away for the last few days, for which I am very thankful. I do think of all of the communities that are suffering such unbelievable hardships, fright and loss in this summer of unending heat and drought. It's like living in a tinder box, just waiting for Mother Nature to strike the match. 

Love to all, Ellen,

To the Coast

On Saturday I rode with my niece to Winchester Bay. We tootled along in her pumpkin orange Jeep. I imagined myself as a geriatric Cinderella let out from The Farm For Fragile Fairy Tale Fading Females. It was a lovely day, a bit cloudy, a bit windy, and much cooler than what we have been experiencing here at home.
The bay was blessedly uncrowded and the waves amazingly busy and quite loud. Here is some of what I captured on my camera.

This guy, recognizing a Fading Female from the Farm, decided to do the cha cha just for me. He took it upon himself to brighten my escape.

We snacked on good cheese, hummus and carrots..hit the outhouse and headed back home after a long walk on the beach. Closer to home, this is what ended our day. This photo was taken by my niece as mine were just trash. The elk are protected here and certainly seem to know that, as this is not an uncommon sight. I did leave them a note of thanks and a reminder about how much we appreciate them not strolling through the nursery here at home.

I always enjoy spending time with my niece, it doesn't happen often, but when it does it's all good.
Today I declared it to be Slovenly Slothful Sunday and if it were a reality show, I definitely would not be kicked out. In fact, I think that I would win the contest. I have made the bed, prepared lunch, gone to town to get my husband a six pack of beer, and done an astounding two loads of wash. Well, I did empty the dishwasher and to my astonishment have posted another frivolous entry here.
Tomorrow's another day. Why do it today when you can do it tomorrow or even this coming Friday?

I want to thank each of you who have visited and left such lovely and encouraging comments for me. I do not take them lightly or for granted. You make my day.
Love, Ellen.