Popham is Heaven on Earth

(click to enlarge)

Today we got a gift... a late October day that is warm enough to bask in the sun on the beach, where my boys can play in the sand barefoot. Where we can watch horseback riders and surfers and stroll-er-by-ers take it all in. A good vibe was definitely shared by all.

Popham is Heaven on Earth

(click to enlarge)

Today we got a gift... a late October day that is warm enough to bask in the sun on the beach, where my boys can play in the sand barefoot. Where we can watch horseback riders and surfers and stroll-er-by-ers take it all in. A good vibe was definitely shared by all.

snow and ice and everything nice

Mt. Washington

We've spent most of the weekend outside again -- this time hiking at the base of Mt. Washington at Pinkham Notch in White Mountain National Forest up in NH, and today we went to Preservation Park at Poland Spring.

We saw a dusting of snow on our hike yesterday which made things fun. It was neat how winter and fall were mingling to make the atmosphere even more magical. It was one tough hike yesterday... it made today's really feel like leisurely walk in the woods. (photo above from today) However, today it's been much colder and spitting rain at us. The babe and I are happy to be in out of the cold, but big brother and my husband are still outside playing.

I'm so proud of our boys. We're pretty new to hiking, especially as much as we have been lately. Both of our boys have just taken to it and can go for miles... I'm especially proud of 2 1/2 year old Tommy! Two little troopers.

Here are more cold hiking photos... (click on images to enlarge)

I nicknamed this hill the stairmaster.

at the base of the trail... heading in to the woods at the Pinkham Notch visitors center.
We hiked on the Gulf of Slides ski trail.

snow and ice and everything nice

Mt. Washington

We've spent most of the weekend outside again -- this time hiking at the base of Mt. Washington at Pinkham Notch in White Mountain National Forest up in NH, and today we went to Preservation Park at Poland Spring.

We saw a dusting of snow on our hike yesterday which made things fun. It was neat how winter and fall were mingling to make the atmosphere even more magical. It was one tough hike yesterday... it made today's really feel like leisurely walk in the woods. (photo above from today) However, today it's been much colder and spitting rain at us. The babe and I are happy to be in out of the cold, but big brother and my husband are still outside playing.

I'm so proud of our boys. We're pretty new to hiking, especially as much as we have been lately. Both of our boys have just taken to it and can go for miles... I'm especially proud of 2 1/2 year old Tommy! Two little troopers.

Here are more cold hiking photos... (click on images to enlarge)

I nicknamed this hill the stairmaster.

at the base of the trail... heading in to the woods at the Pinkham Notch visitors center.
We hiked on the Gulf of Slides ski trail.

Heelhead Scarf

Heelhead Scarf / 2 Skeins of Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Geranio colorway /
size 7 needles / Ravelry Link

I did 39 cable repeats on each side instead of the recommended 49... it's plenty long... I didn't measure but take my word for it. The tails are long enough to wrap around twice and fling over my shoulders to the back.

I loved the construction of this scarf... the short row heel method creates a wonderful seamless hood and I love how the garter-cable border isn't disrupted all the way around the hood. I also love the combination of garter stitch and cables for extra squoosh.

I used just under two skeins of luscious Malabrigo which made a super soft, warm, wind-proof fabric. I'm gifting this hooded scarf to a good friend of mine who spends her fair share of work days outside yet is style conscious enough to not want to have hat head when she goes back inside. I think it'll be perfect for her. ;) I hope she likes it as much as I do.

Heelhead Scarf

Heelhead Scarf / 2 Skeins of Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Geranio colorway /
size 7 needles / Ravelry Link

I did 39 cable repeats on each side instead of the recommended 49... it's plenty long... I didn't measure but take my word for it. The tails are long enough to wrap around twice and fling over my shoulders to the back.

I loved the construction of this scarf... the short row heel method creates a wonderful seamless hood and I love how the garter-cable border isn't disrupted all the way around the hood. I also love the combination of garter stitch and cables for extra squoosh.

I used just under two skeins of luscious Malabrigo which made a super soft, warm, wind-proof fabric. I'm gifting this hooded scarf to a good friend of mine who spends her fair share of work days outside yet is style conscious enough to not want to have hat head when she goes back inside. I think it'll be perfect for her. ;) I hope she likes it as much as I do.

(click to enlarge)

... actual knitting content... coming soon!

(click to enlarge)

... actual knitting content... coming soon!

Fleeting Fall

(click to enlarge)

Now don't get too worked up... fall isn't over yet... but it is quickly coming to an end up in the hills. This photo was taken on the way to Oquossoc north of Byron on Route 17. Fall can quickly change around every bend in Maine. In fact, it's really just getting ramped up along the coastline... but far up in the hills it's been full force for weeks. Supposedly the Rangeley area is supposed to be at peak foliage this weekend but I can say that it has passed.

I'm sure you can tell by our photos that we've spent most of our time up in the hills lost in the woods lately. When we moved to Maine from Iowa, initially I was excited about being near the ocean again. (we used to live in Connecticut) I knew the mountains were there, too, and had spent a little bit of time there but really it was all about the sea for me. The mountains were just sort of a side bonus.

But now that we've lived here for a while, it's the mountains that call to me. They are just so magical. The lakes, the woods, the majesty of it all. There also tends to be a lot fewer people in the woods than on the beach. It's easy to just disappear in to the silence in the woods. I don't know what it is now that I'm typing it out... but it is where we most feel 'at home.' That said, we'll probably be shifting our focus to the ocean and further south for the rest of the season... and I'm sure I'll feel 'most at home' there, too. Haha.

I have many more fun and much more colorful photos to share from our weekend, but this one really caught my eye. More to come!

Fleeting Fall

(click to enlarge)

Now don't get too worked up... fall isn't over yet... but it is quickly coming to an end up in the hills. This photo was taken on the way to Oquossoc north of Byron on Route 17. Fall can quickly change around every bend in Maine. In fact, it's really just getting ramped up along the coastline... but far up in the hills it's been full force for weeks. Supposedly the Rangeley area is supposed to be at peak foliage this weekend but I can say that it has passed.

I'm sure you can tell by our photos that we've spent most of our time up in the hills lost in the woods lately. When we moved to Maine from Iowa, initially I was excited about being near the ocean again. (we used to live in Connecticut) I knew the mountains were there, too, and had spent a little bit of time there but really it was all about the sea for me. The mountains were just sort of a side bonus.

But now that we've lived here for a while, it's the mountains that call to me. They are just so magical. The lakes, the woods, the majesty of it all. There also tends to be a lot fewer people in the woods than on the beach. It's easy to just disappear in to the silence in the woods. I don't know what it is now that I'm typing it out... but it is where we most feel 'at home.' That said, we'll probably be shifting our focus to the ocean and further south for the rest of the season... and I'm sure I'll feel 'most at home' there, too. Haha.

I have many more fun and much more colorful photos to share from our weekend, but this one really caught my eye. More to come!

sparkly fall day

I love this photo. That is all.
Off to knit TTL Sock KAL Clue #2!
Happy Day to you.

... OK one more ...

(click to enlarge)

sparkly fall day

I love this photo. That is all.
Off to knit TTL Sock KAL Clue #2!
Happy Day to you.

... OK one more ...

(click to enlarge)

I have woodstove envy.

Seriously... I want a woodstove. It's definitely on my must-have list when we do buy a house here in Maine. We looked at a house a few months ago that had a big huge new Vermont Castings wood stove in the kitchen and it was amazing. I wanted to buy the house just because of the wood stove. Too bad that was the only amazing thing about the house.

We went for a little drive this morning in the rain after dropping big brother off at the bus stop and there are many woodstoves warming their houses today. It's a chilly, rainy, dark, moody sort of day... perfect for October. A witchy day, indeed.

Mainers know how to prepare for winter... that and I think most actually like winter. It's probably because there are things to do here in the winter. Mainers seem to know how to have fun in the winter... skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, etc etc. I haven't been skiing since I was a little kid. I can't wait to learn again this winter.

Outside of Portland up here in the lake region and beyond, people are truly gearing up. Public works places already have mountains of sand, snow mobiles are in everyone's front yard, and the wood piles... they're impressive! Major deliveries of serious amounts of firewood. The stacks that these folks put the wood in to are impressive, too. 3x3 rotated 90 degrees every other row and build in to a wall extending from their house. It's awesome.

I can't wait to have a woodstove, a little old house in the woods, surrounded by lots and lots of quiet woods (and wool), a quiet and simple life, maybe a snowmobile or two...and some ATV's... and jet ski's... and a boat. Lots of toys.

I know I probably sound sick and twisted, but I'm actually excited for winter this year.

I have woodstove envy.

Seriously... I want a woodstove. It's definitely on my must-have list when we do buy a house here in Maine. We looked at a house a few months ago that had a big huge new Vermont Castings wood stove in the kitchen and it was amazing. I wanted to buy the house just because of the wood stove. Too bad that was the only amazing thing about the house.

We went for a little drive this morning in the rain after dropping big brother off at the bus stop and there are many woodstoves warming their houses today. It's a chilly, rainy, dark, moody sort of day... perfect for October. A witchy day, indeed.

Mainers know how to prepare for winter... that and I think most actually like winter. It's probably because there are things to do here in the winter. Mainers seem to know how to have fun in the winter... skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, etc etc. I haven't been skiing since I was a little kid. I can't wait to learn again this winter.

Outside of Portland up here in the lake region and beyond, people are truly gearing up. Public works places already have mountains of sand, snow mobiles are in everyone's front yard, and the wood piles... they're impressive! Major deliveries of serious amounts of firewood. The stacks that these folks put the wood in to are impressive, too. 3x3 rotated 90 degrees every other row and build in to a wall extending from their house. It's awesome.

I can't wait to have a woodstove, a little old house in the woods, surrounded by lots and lots of quiet woods (and wool), a quiet and simple life, maybe a snowmobile or two...and some ATV's... and jet ski's... and a boat. Lots of toys.

I know I probably sound sick and twisted, but I'm actually excited for winter this year.

Full Harvest Moon

I missed the full moon this month! It was on Sunday night...

Oct. 4, 2:10 a.m. EDT -- Full Harvest Moon. Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September, but sometimes it will fall in early October as is the case in 2009; the next time won't come until 2017. At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Usually the full moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice -- the chief Indian staples -- are now ready for gathering.- via space.com

Note to self: full moon next month is on November 2.

Blogiversary

Today is my one year blogiversary... that needs to be mentioned because I never stay put this long. I've actually been blogging since 2000 when I registered my first domain name, but I've never (I don't think) stayed anywhere long enough to actually celebrate a blogiversary.

So, happy blogiversary to me! LoL

...that said I'm working on a new blog... haha!

Full Harvest Moon

I missed the full moon this month! It was on Sunday night...

Oct. 4, 2:10 a.m. EDT -- Full Harvest Moon. Traditionally, this designation goes to the full moon that occurs closest to the Autumnal (fall) Equinox. The Harvest Moon usually comes in September, but sometimes it will fall in early October as is the case in 2009; the next time won't come until 2017. At the peak of the harvest, farmers can work into the night by the light of this moon. Usually the full moon rises an average of 50 minutes later each night, but for the few nights around the Harvest Moon, the moon seems to rise at nearly the same time each night: just 25 to 30 minutes later across the U.S., and only 10 to 20 minutes later for much of Canada and Europe. Corn, pumpkins, squash, beans, and wild rice -- the chief Indian staples -- are now ready for gathering.- via space.com

Note to self: full moon next month is on November 2.

Blogiversary

Today is my one year blogiversary... that needs to be mentioned because I never stay put this long. I've actually been blogging since 2000 when I registered my first domain name, but I've never (I don't think) stayed anywhere long enough to actually celebrate a blogiversary.

So, happy blogiversary to me! LoL

...that said I'm working on a new blog... haha!

The Best Day

(click to enlarge)

We go on some amazing adventures here in New England. Many many Sundays I come home and think that 'today was the best day.' Then every week, the next Sunday tops the last. Today was no exception!

(click to enlarge)

Today we headed in to the mountains like we do almost every weekend... we drove through White Mountain National Forest and then around to Crawford Notch State Park. We did a lot of hiking and leaf peeping and it was incredible. The views were amazing! Overwhelming! I was once again moved to tears. It's truly a sight to behold. We just feel so lucky to be here for this. Like we're witnessing what fall is really meant to be... this is it, folks.

(click to enlarge)

The views were best accessed by car and pulling off on the scenic overlooks along the way, but the most amazing part of the day was the hike... the woods have completely changed with the beginning of a fresh blanket of fallen leaves. The forest floor was very damp today and the air was thick with the sweet smell of fall leaves mixed with fir and pine. That smell was my favorite part of the day. All along the hike we kept coming across moose tracks!! Then trees with the bark worn off where moose had scraped their horns. How cool! We just had so much fun.

(click to enlarge)

The Best Day

(click to enlarge)

We go on some amazing adventures here in New England. Many many Sundays I come home and think that 'today was the best day.' Then every week, the next Sunday tops the last. Today was no exception!

(click to enlarge)

Today we headed in to the mountains like we do almost every weekend... we drove through White Mountain National Forest and then around to Crawford Notch State Park. We did a lot of hiking and leaf peeping and it was incredible. The views were amazing! Overwhelming! I was once again moved to tears. It's truly a sight to behold. We just feel so lucky to be here for this. Like we're witnessing what fall is really meant to be... this is it, folks.

(click to enlarge)

The views were best accessed by car and pulling off on the scenic overlooks along the way, but the most amazing part of the day was the hike... the woods have completely changed with the beginning of a fresh blanket of fallen leaves. The forest floor was very damp today and the air was thick with the sweet smell of fall leaves mixed with fir and pine. That smell was my favorite part of the day. All along the hike we kept coming across moose tracks!! Then trees with the bark worn off where moose had scraped their horns. How cool! We just had so much fun.

(click to enlarge)

Socktoberfest = cure for sweater angst.

I have lots of pent up sweater angst. In fact, I'm staunchly anti-sweater right now. I'm 0 for 3 lately. Sure, the sven sveater was cute on my toddler son, hmm? I thought he liked it, but since then he refuses to wear it. He promptly takes it off as soon as its on.

I also recently knit a top-down sweater for my oldest son and while he likes it... it's already too small. Srsly. How can he be growing so fast? He is growing SO fast! I am designating store-bought for him until he's 25. Either that or I need to start knitting him teenaged size sweaters now.

Thirdly -- I started a top-down cowl-neck sweater for myself. I used BMFA Twisted in a heavily dark variegated colorway. I didn't alternate balls of yarn when knitting... it wasn't pooling at all until I switched balls. Then it still wasn't pooling but it sort of had a different rhythm ... it just looked different and wrong. BLARGH! I knew better.

I could have frogged and started over but I was 2/3 of the way down the front and just lost all steam. So I frogged, rewound nicely and promptly destashed it on Ravelry -- score for recouping some of my money. That yarn isn't cheap!

Plus, I mean here is the thing.... I would try on probably 15 sweaters in a store before picking one that I really truly liked. What are the chances I'm actually going to knit a sweater that I love right off the bat? Slim to none! I don't want to spend my free time with those odds for a good long time.

I'm swearing off sweaters for the time being. I'm totally OK with that, too! I don't have to knit sweaters to be a 'bonafide knitter.' It's about having fun with my hobby. So there. :)

Socktoberfest = cure for sweater angst.

I have lots of pent up sweater angst. In fact, I'm staunchly anti-sweater right now. I'm 0 for 3 lately. Sure, the sven sveater was cute on my toddler son, hmm? I thought he liked it, but since then he refuses to wear it. He promptly takes it off as soon as its on.

I also recently knit a top-down sweater for my oldest son and while he likes it... it's already too small. Srsly. How can he be growing so fast? He is growing SO fast! I am designating store-bought for him until he's 25. Either that or I need to start knitting him teenaged size sweaters now.

Thirdly -- I started a top-down cowl-neck sweater for myself. I used BMFA Twisted in a heavily dark variegated colorway. I didn't alternate balls of yarn when knitting... it wasn't pooling at all until I switched balls. Then it still wasn't pooling but it sort of had a different rhythm ... it just looked different and wrong. BLARGH! I knew better.

I could have frogged and started over but I was 2/3 of the way down the front and just lost all steam. So I frogged, rewound nicely and promptly destashed it on Ravelry -- score for recouping some of my money. That yarn isn't cheap!

Plus, I mean here is the thing.... I would try on probably 15 sweaters in a store before picking one that I really truly liked. What are the chances I'm actually going to knit a sweater that I love right off the bat? Slim to none! I don't want to spend my free time with those odds for a good long time.

I'm swearing off sweaters for the time being. I'm totally OK with that, too! I don't have to knit sweaters to be a 'bonafide knitter.' It's about having fun with my hobby. So there. :)

Happy Socktober

Ahh... fall. The chill in the air, the turning leaves, the warm sunny afternoons, the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patches and hay rides.... it's all so fun. But lets cut to the chase people... it's time for SOCKTOBERFEST! That means it is time for a month long celebration of knitted socks.

I've always sort of been known in my knitting group as being a bit of a fanatic when it comes to knitting socks. I'd say at least 75% of my knitting time is dominated by knitting socks. Ironically, I've gotten away from socks for a short while again but now I'm back in full swing.

One big reason why is that I was sorting out the good, the bad, and the ugly knitted socks out of their designated drawer in my dresser and I'm down to an alarmingly low amount of handknit socks... it's true! I wore through a lot of my socks last winter. Soles have disintegrated, a few pairs have even gotten felted in a few careless loads of laundry. All of the sudden I'm feeling a little panicky and like I need to crank out a pair (or ten).

What is a great way to jump start Socktober? Well with the Through the Loops Mystery Sock Knit-along of course! I cast on during naptime this afternoon and didn't get up until I finished clue #1 on both socks. I've never knit two socks at once. I am really liking this concept though, because then they'll both move along and one won't be lolligaging around waiting for a mate for weeks months to come.

I'm not doing two socks on one magic loop... but two socks on their own magic loop. I'm also not alternating row by row, but section by section. I think I'd get mixed up if I did it row by row. If all goes well, I might knit my socks like this from now own.

So this post kicks off the month of Socktober and my love for all things handknit-socks! I hope to post more in the coming weeks about my progress and about other fun things as well... my favorite sock yarns, sock needles, sock patterns, good shoes to wear with knitted socks, stash flash, sock drawer stash... let the fun begin! I hope you'll be working on some socks this month as well.... Happy Socktober, my friends.

Happy Socktober

Ahh... fall. The chill in the air, the turning leaves, the warm sunny afternoons, the hot apple cider, the pumpkin patches and hay rides.... it's all so fun. But lets cut to the chase people... it's time for SOCKTOBERFEST! That means it is time for a month long celebration of knitted socks.

I've always sort of been known in my knitting group as being a bit of a fanatic when it comes to knitting socks. I'd say at least 75% of my knitting time is dominated by knitting socks. Ironically, I've gotten away from socks for a short while again but now I'm back in full swing.

One big reason why is that I was sorting out the good, the bad, and the ugly knitted socks out of their designated drawer in my dresser and I'm down to an alarmingly low amount of handknit socks... it's true! I wore through a lot of my socks last winter. Soles have disintegrated, a few pairs have even gotten felted in a few careless loads of laundry. All of the sudden I'm feeling a little panicky and like I need to crank out a pair (or ten).

What is a great way to jump start Socktober? Well with the Through the Loops Mystery Sock Knit-along of course! I cast on during naptime this afternoon and didn't get up until I finished clue #1 on both socks. I've never knit two socks at once. I am really liking this concept though, because then they'll both move along and one won't be lolligaging around waiting for a mate for weeks months to come.

I'm not doing two socks on one magic loop... but two socks on their own magic loop. I'm also not alternating row by row, but section by section. I think I'd get mixed up if I did it row by row. If all goes well, I might knit my socks like this from now own.

So this post kicks off the month of Socktober and my love for all things handknit-socks! I hope to post more in the coming weeks about my progress and about other fun things as well... my favorite sock yarns, sock needles, sock patterns, good shoes to wear with knitted socks, stash flash, sock drawer stash... let the fun begin! I hope you'll be working on some socks this month as well.... Happy Socktober, my friends.