North

We’re back from a week up at Lake Superior, which is pretty much becoming our home away from home (at least it feels that way whenever we go). There is something so restorative about the lake and the surrounding rocky shores, and I often wonder how different my life would be if day after day I was surrounded by so much beauty.

Virginia Taking in the Lake

The early September air was cool and dry. Our hikes around the various parks were accomplished with much vigor (it also helped knowing an afternoon resting by the lake with a cold beer would follow).

Dan Scrabbling

For me, perhaps the most amazing part of our stay were the completely stunning sunrises that greeted us every morning. Each one a little different than the previous:

Sunrise

Sunrise

Sunrise

I consider myself a fairly cheerful person, but I can only imagine that a daily routine of sunrises and hikes and watching the water would have a pretty profound effect on my general outlook on life.

Until the day comes when that is possible, we will just have to get by with frequent getaways. And, once there, allow ourselves to absorb as much as we can of what the north has to offer.

Virginia on the Rocks

Owls Helping Owls

There are a bunch of felted ambassadors ready to go out into the world and help out their real-world kin.

Felted Ambassador

When you add an ambassador to your collection of felted friends, a contribution (basically all of the proceeds minus shipping/listing fees) will be made to an appropriate organization. In this case, these owls will be supporting The Raptor Center.

I’m not associated with this group, but they do amazing work, both with education and with helping area raptors recover. These ambassadors do come with credentials, rest assured they are the real deal:

Ambassador ID

Find out more about this program by clicking on the “Ambassadors” link above.

Sunset Sunrise Blanket

Virginia crocheted this from a selection of six colors of Palette yarn. It will brighten and warm the cloudiest and coldest of days. (It seems hard to believe that the temperatures can get so cold when we’re slogging through one of the hottest and muggiest summers on record, but it will and we’ll be ready).

Sunset Sunrise Blanket

Sunset Sunrise Blanket

Sunset Sunrise Blanket

Sunset Sunrise Blanket

Owl Diversity

I’ve discovered some fascinating things about owls these last couple of weeks. There’s more to them than meets the eye.

Owl

They are inquisitive.

Owl Looking for Love

They look for love.

Owl in Love

They are true.

Owl Couple

They make great companions.

Owl, Family of Two

Great parents, too.

Owl with Flowers

They like a little romance.

Owl the Hunter

They get hungry.

Owl the Vegetarian

Some are even vegetarian.

Owl Zombie

Unfortunately, they are just as susceptible to zombie attacks as we are.

Owl Knitter

But, most exciting of all, they know how to knit.