Up a Notch

Posted on by Dan

It’s a new year, complete with resolutions and renewed resolve for cultivating our creative outlets. And, I’ve taken steps in providing better photos for sharing some of the results. A better camera does not make a better photographer, but it does help in providing more tools and control for capturing images in an interesting way. What’s exciting is that I can dust off the old lenses I had for my first SLR, a Pentax K1000 that I bought 17 years ago. And, I’m happy to report the ol’ lenses work just fine with the new Pentax digital SLR (a brilliant decision on their part). The following photographs were taken with a completely manual 50mm lens. There is something satisfying about meshing old and new technology and coming up with good results.

Kalanchoe

This Kalanchoe, a new year’s gift (thank you!), was just waiting to show off a little.

Quilt - detail

This is one of Virginia’s quilts she made a number of years ago (yes, she does other non-knitting activities).

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since you are so used to seeing socks on the blog, I didn’t want to disappoint.

Sock #32 (52 Sock Challenge) - detail

Virginia knit these using Trekking XXL (Turtlegirl, you might remember swapping this yarn with her), and modified a cable sock pattern by Nancy Bush.

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The Final Push

Posted on by Dan

It is conceivable that Virginia will eventually slow in her sock-making exercises. She will, at least, be taking a wee break from it once she finishes up one or two more custom orders. This holiday season was no exception with sock orders (as you may have noticed from previous sock-filled posts), as feet, these cold wintery days, are demanding warm, cozy coverings. Here are the latest (and my apologies for the variety of lighting techniques used in the photos — I blame the winter hours, and lack of proper daylight):

Sock #24 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #25 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #26 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #27 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #28 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #29 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #30 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #31 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, since this is likely the last post in 2008, may your new year celebrations be safe, peaceful and full of good cheer.

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Northshore Escape

Posted on by Dan

We both have a special place in our hearts for Lake Superior, and keep telling ourselves we need to make the trip to visit more often. We finally booked a cabin right on the lake and immediately started to figure out how we could rearrange our lives in order to move to said cabin permanently.

The view from our living/dining room was unbeatable.

North Shore

Of course, no trip up north would be complete without an outside trek. We made it to Split Rock Lighthouse (both because it was on the way to a yarn shop in Tofte, and because it’s connected to my job).

View from Split Rock

We also stopped at Gooseberry Falls, and were greeted by some extremely friendly deer (I could’ve reached out and petted them… they were happily munching on some seeds from one of the state park bird feeders).

Deer

The real reason, however, for our trip was this…

Cabinside Crafting

If you haven’t had the chance lately to get away, to disconnect from the day-to-day for awhile, and spend some quality time just absorbing and being absorbed by the beauty that is our natural world — do it.

North Shore

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Winter is Here

Posted on by Dan

I supposed there’s nothing more appropriate to have happen on the official first day of winter than to snow a good 8 inches. I keep telling myself that this will be the year that I embrace the snow, the cold, the runny nose and aching ears. It doesn’t do any good to hold a grudge against mother nature (which is what I have done in the past once I start to dwell on the amount of months remaining before habitable weather returns).

Snow

But, no grudges this year. I will happily shovel ourselves out of the drifts, merrily don my warm, woolen knits, inhale the crisp clean air and… do everything I can to stay inside and in close proximity to the oven!

Loaves of Bread

There’s nothing quite like the smell of baking bread when just beyond the wall the outside world is being blanketed by snow and brought to a stand-still in the sub zero temperatures. I have a feeling there will be a lot baking going on this season. But, the start of winter also means longer days of sunlight are just around the corner. In fact, even tomorrow will be slightly lighter. Now, that is good news.

Happy solstice!

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Sock Catch-Up

Posted on by Dan

It may seem like I’ve waited a really long time in order to update you on some of Virginia’s sock knitting, especially given the quantity of socks finished, but I assure you not that much time has passed since the last post that contained socks.

The next round off the needles are below:

Sock #19 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #20 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #21 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #22 (52 Sock Challenge)

Sock #23 (52 Sock Challenge)

And, because I’m a lazy blogger, you will have to guess the yarns used in each of the socks. I will say, though, the teal socks are Nancy Bush’s Denmark pattern using Meilenweit. The rest? Happy guessing… or just have fun looking at the finished product.