New Yarn.....

November 2nd I posted about going to White Oak Alpaca Farm in Woodland, Washington. (The post is titled, "Field trip to Woodland, Wa.)While at the farm my eye was on a specific yarn and it is now in my possession. Karen Finch mailed me two beautiful skeins of alpaca, merino wool and silk blended yarn recently. The color is a lovely fawn brown, and Karen sent me a picture of the very alpaca the yarn came from. Her name is Minuet. Karen names each animal, and knows which alpaca the yarn has come from by looking at the color, and texture. I find that very endearing and it makes this yarn quite special to me. Now, what do I knit? I am soliciting ideas from those of you who have anything to suggest!! There are 286 yards in each skein. Think simple and do share your ideas!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

With hearts full of Thanksgiving we wish all a good day!!

Take a moment to listen to this lovely song "For the Beauty of the Earth," coming from

You Tube....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHIfRLNYUGw

Get a Kleenex ready!

May God meet you today right where you are in life, and may you know Him personally in heart, soul, and mind. Metolius River/Camp Sherman, Oregon

Sewing continued....

After saying we would share more of our finished sewing projects from our days of play, there was a realization that we can't show everything. It's that time of year to create things for our loved ones, and it would be a shame to ruin the surprise. I know you understand, but here are two bags that Barbara made. Last Christmas I sewed the bags for my girls, and Barbara had fun with the pattern this year! Her girls won't be looking... so we are safe. The pattern is called Brynne's Bag, and comes from The Pine Needle in Lake Oswego, Oregon. It can be ordered by calling 800-655-5632, or on their web site at http://www.pineneedlequiltshop.com/

The Pine Needle is one of the nicest quilts shops around, and the web site gives a good idea of all they offer!

The fabrics Barbara chose are rich, and add a certain flair to the bags! There are two nice -sized pockets inside, and each bag will soon have large buttons for a closure. These bags are large enough to use for books, groceries, or as a purse. Each is lined with a co-ordinating fabric, and the handles are long enough to throw over a shoulder.

One more quick wall hanging to show. Barbara made this one from a pattern called "Let it Snow", created by Country Lore Designs. She assured me it was not difficult to put together, and a fun one to do in fabrics to match a color palette of any choice. We have had a great couple of days and have many more to plan for!! Friends are a treasure!

Sewing.....

My dear friend, Barbara, arrived earlier today from the great state of Kansas. We have enjoyed knowing each other for about twenty-seven years, and make time for each other at least once a year. We enjoy sewing together, and before dinner time we had these chicken pincushions stuffed and sewn up! The instruction we followed were just about impossible to decipher. There was quite a bit of trial and error! Alas...three rock stuffed, quilted chickens are done, and ready for gift giving. Tomorrow we are taking a quick trip to two quilt shops near our home, and by noon will be back sewing. These are the best of times for us! As the week progresses there will be more projects to share. Do come back to check-in!

Each chicken has it's own personality, unique shape and size.

Canby, Oregon Home For Sale!

Looking for a home in the Pacific Northwest? Canby, Oregon is just the sort of town that draws people, and this is a home to consider! The location alone is prime to living comfortably within walking distance of shopping, doctors, library, and recreation. A custom home, built true to the craftsman style, but with the comfort of today. The interior is warm, inviting, and perfect for a growing family, or for couples who enjoy fine living. Go to the web site to see and learn more about this beautiful home: http://www.buymycanbyhome.com/

Doing....photos.

Our upstairs bonus room is supposed to be a place for the children to play, only it doesn't work that way right now. I am going through photos, and the room is not a very good place for anyone but me!! Today I have managed to throw out several piles of bad pictures, excess paper, and years of old greeting cards! I'm talking about a ridiculous amount of paper! In and through the boxes of photos there have been a few pictures that stop me in my tracks, and I share one of these with you. This was taken in 1956, it is of me with my brother Reed. I believe there is a sling shot over my brother's shoulder, which was his favorite toy. The overalls I have on were worn quite a bit, judging from the knees. It was a June day. There is a Peace rose blooming to my right. There isn't anything like a picture to bring back a memory in the life of a family! This one does that for me. It was a sweet day! Reed is gone but he's smiling with me!

A poem about weather....

WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND?

Who has seen the wind?

Neither I nor you;

but when the leaves hang trembling

The wind is passing through.

Who has seen the wind?

Neither you nor I;

but when the trees bow down their heads

The wind is passing by.

Christina Rosseti It's a cold blustery day, a fire is lit, and it's time for a nice lazy afternoon. A pot of tea and a good book waits to be read.

A quick tour down Hwy 20 and I 5

After our day at the Oregon Coast we decided to take Hwy 20 home. It takes off from Newport, Oregon, and heads toward Corvallis, home of the Oregon State Beavers. Just for fun I started snapping photos from the bus window, going 55 miles per hour, and in the rain. The windows are not sparkling clean, so I was a bit surprised at how well the photos turned out. (I love my camera)! Take a quick scroll through them, and see what we saw. The Autumn colors were striking and vivid!

Bridge over the Willamette River in Corvallis.This mound is located south of Salem along I 5. It is a land formation that occurs along the corridor in several places. This time of year shows the contrast of the trees to the farmland below.

Close up view of the same land formation. More farmland that is home to sheep along I 5. "What's this? Go faster so we can pass them and see what it is!" " Something isn't quite right!"It's the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile!! A transportation wonder! Check it out. http://www.reedberry.com/wienermobile.html

There were two girls driving this giant wiener and they are talked about in the web site. Their job is to represent Oscar Mayer, while driving the wiener mobile all over the country. What are the chances of seeing this..with a camera handy? Only a blogger would seize the opportunity...laughing all the while!! My Jim puts up with me and smiles!

Blue's first trip to the beach!

"Do you want to go to the beach? Dad asked. "Yes!" Blue snorted!

"You can take two toys!" Dad said.

Blue quickly grabbed his tiger and ball. Then jumped into the bus, prepared for the day long trip to the Oregon Coast. It was raining but that didn't spoil the excitement of his first outing. "O boy, I'm ready to go to the beach! Can I drive?"

The drive to Lincoln City, Oregon only took about 90 minutes. It was a warm comfortable time with lots of room for Blue to move around. "Are all those birds for me?" Blue Asked.

"No Blue." Dad said.

It was pretty much a short leash day with so many other dogs around, and some

more aggressive than others.

"I want to go this way." Blue said.

On another trip, when we know how Blue will do without a leash, he will get his turn to run free! This beach could have taken him a long ways before we caught up! Blue had a fun day, traveled well and slept most of the way home!

We were able to enjoy fresh wild salmon at Kyllo's in Lincoln City, while Blue stayed in the bus, and didn't even bark...or tear up anything!

We think he's a pretty terrific dog!!

Field trip to Woodland, Washington.

Last month when I attended the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival, I met a gal who was showing her alpacas and yarn. She invited me to visit her farm in Woodland, Washington. She was so easy to talk with and willing to share her experience that I thought, "why not go visit the farm and see what alpaca farming is all about." I had an idea it was going to be nice but it was better than nice!! Several friends came with me on this drive into Washington State, and up the Lewis River. Karin Finch and her husband built the farm from the ground up. Their home is a work of art, filled with everything they love and it's a home to enjoy!! They even offer a bed and breakfast experience for those who would venture out to this countryside and want to learn about the alpaca business. It is a first rate accommodation complete with a theater to watch movies in grand scale!

The land at White Oak Alpaca Farm is used wisely, with consideration for the animals and their environment. Each animal that is born on the farm has been bred with the utmost care. It is also apparent that the alpacas are of the highest quality. We were graciously invited into the Finch home and had a tour. No matter where we walked on the property, we could see beautiful views of the sky and forests that surrounds the farm. From the house we could see the animals grazing. There are over 50 Alpacas on the farm and each one is named and recognized by Karin. She fondly told of being at most of their births, she knows them by sight and personality.

This little girl is named Scooter. She scoots right up to meet us. It is not common for an alpaca to come towards a visitor, but Scooter's personality makes her very friendly. Most of the alpacas stand back and size us up before coming forward. We were careful not to move quickly and we did get to pet a few of them. Their coats are so soft and dense.

The softness and denseness of the fiber varies between animals, as well as how long the fiber grows. Karin shows us the color that lays closest to the skin, and we can see the color differences in each alpaca. This little guy is named Black Diamond, and he allows us to get very close as well.
In another fenced off area we met the girls! They are teenagers, very curious and as individual as their names!! Just like people..eh!! Here are the moms and their babies. Most of the babies are still nursing, being together they frolic and play all day long. This view is as wide and far as we could see!! Imagine having this to look at everyday!!

Here is another view, but from the downstairs living room in the house. The oak tree seen in both pictures is said to be three hundred years old. It is in a protected area and is the focal point of the farm. It is a white oak.

We headed home after two hours, reminiscing on everything we had learned and seen. This field trip is one we won't forget!

If you are interested in learning more about White Oak Alpacas go to their web site at: http://www.whiteoakalpacas.com/ Karin Finch also has a wonderful supply of Alpaca yarn, from her animals, and in many colors to sell.