Solvang

There's a Danish Village in Central California called Solvang. It's quaint and cute and filled with tourists. Yesterday it was not very crowded, so I took a little walk into downtown Solvang and saw some things that were new to me.

Flowers...as you know, I am always attracted to the flowers. And these hot magenta blooms that lined the street were breathtaking. It's wintertime and they don't seem to know it. 

Then I walked past Birkholm's Bakery and discovered a great long sign

You have to stretch this panorama picture out to see it in all it's glory...but it's a list of all Kings and Queens of Denmark

...and all of them are descendants of the first man in the picture, Old King Gorm. I wonder how many kingdoms can say that?

To top off my day I discovered a windmill I've never seen before

There are several windmills in the village, and this one is tucked away off the main street. I need to find out more about it. There's a sign that says it's part of Santa Barbara county, but even when I was in front of the sign, it was too far away for me to read. Watch this space to see if I find out the story behind this strange windmill.

Busy Hands

I like to stay busy..

I don't remember being hyperactive in school

Now, I think I might be. I need to have my fingers busy...

So I make blankets. This one is for Lori at the post office. She liked my little teddy bears so much she wanted one for her 3 month old granddaughter. I did not think the toy bears were baby-proof, but I know this blanket it. 

Teddy Bears

Teddy Bears seem to multiply in my house. We have our basic teddy bear crew, but recently a new bear has moved in. He's a Panda Bear that we named Cachuma -- or Chuma for short. He's a happy little creature that brings us joy.

To add to the collection, I just learned how to make crocheted teddy bears. I posted a picture of one ... and soon I had orders for 3 more...go figure. 

This little guy went to Florida

And these two went to California. 

They are fun to make so, if you'd like one, let me know.

Meet John

I did not send out valentines this year. Instead I made little valentine pillows and I've been giving them to folks. They seem to like them.

So here's John. John has been going to dialysis 3 days a week,  every week, since 2013. He definitely needed a valentine. Then when he heard that I made blankets, he asked to buy a blanket. Well, I don't sell blankets...So next week, John will receive a blanket. Watch this space for his reaction.

Out on a Limb

I always wished I was able to paint pretty pictures, but alas, that is not one of my talents. Instead I take pictures and sometimes enhance them. Here's my original...

Sweet birds sitting a tiny branch, enjoying the winter sunshine together.

Here are the "paintings" I created from this picture using an app called BrushStroke

A watercolor

Another watercolor

And surprise.

All show the birds and thru the magic of an app, I'm a painter. What a treat!

Not the National Bird

The other day we were driving around the park and we discovered a rafter of turkeys.

 The turkeys are year round residents but they are illusive. 

One day I'll see 10 or so turkeys, the next day nothing...

 Then I'll spot them in another place in the park, quite a distance away. 

I've never seen them fly, I guess they walk

Contrary to popular opinion, Benjamin Franklin did not want the turkey to be the national bird. When  Franklin saw a drawing of the National Seal, he thought the bird drawn on it looked more like a turkey than an eagle. The Seal was re-designed to look like the eagle.

By the way, turkeys are not from Turkey. They are a North American bird, first domesticated in Mexico.

The turkey is related to grouse and pheasants.

It's a treat to see wild turkeys.

Windmills

Windmills...aren't they wonderful. They remind me of sunflowers; instead of pointing to the sun though, they point to the wind. Maybe we should call them wind-flowers?

Cowboys and Teddy Bears

We were having lunch at Carl's Jr. yesterday when a cowboy walked in. You tend to think that cowboys only exist in Wyoming, but that's not true. I took his picture...then I played with it...and here's the result...

All you really need to see are the spurs. These are working spurs.

And now for something completed unrelated to cowboys or spurs...here's my latest teddy bear. I was given this pattern on the ship and I made two bears following the pattern but they just did not look right. So last night I redesigned the pattern and this is the result. 

I wonder if a cowboy would like a teddy bear? 

Maybe, if the teddy bear had spurs?

Glorious Sun

Yesterday afternoon, right as the sun was setting in the western sky, the light on the lake was perfect. A golden glow highlighted the water and the trees.

The little yurts, as always, had the perfect view of the lake...then...

The sun exploded with light. I finally got the picture I've been looking for all winter. 

Wow!

Lavender Blue

While we are watching the "Winds of War" and War and Remembrance" saga, which we borrowed from our local library, I'm crocheting blankets. I finished this lavender/amethyst/blue blanket this afternoon.

I will be donating it to Sacramento Blankets for Sacramento Kids in the near future. SBSK has replaced Project Linus and I like how this organization gives the blankets local kids in need. I think a ten year old girl, going thru her "purple phase" will love this blanket with a lavender rose, a lot.

2020 Calendar

Many years ago I had an online student from Japan.  Over the years we have written countless letters and emails. One year, I was lucky enough to visit her in Japan. I've watched her family grow up. Every year she sends me a special calendar. This year, it's a cut out calendar with tiny pictures of holidays and events in the Japanese year. It is delightful.

Thank you Nan. I treasure your calendar! Every time I use it, I think of you. 

Happy New Year my friend.

Diamonds and Spanish Moss

Tiny diamond-like crystals were waiting 

For the sun to shed light on the morning...

While the mossy old man of the lake, saw the new day begin.

Big Red

For the last six or seven months I've been working on a huge "scrap" or "stash buster" blanket.  I started the blanket because I had a bunch of left over yarn and I'm of the opinion it's a sin to throw good yarn away. So I started making 9 inch squares. Then I put the squares together in a red lattice, and last night the masterpiece was completed.

I've put it on the back of the sofa to break up all the brown in the RV. It's folded in thirds so you cannot see how big this monster blanket it...I think it will fit a queen sized bed.

I do know that it's nice and cozy, even with the fireplace on. 

When we were on the cruise, someone asked me how many stitches were in an average blanket and I had no idea. She told me that her counted cross stitch picture had 60,000 stitches. I guess I could figure out this problem, but then I don't think I'd ever make a blanket again. I do know that this blanket has 69 completely different squares, all tied together in a red and white diamond lattice. Each square is 9 x 9 but I do not know how many stitches are inside each square, nor do I know how many stitches are in the connecting lattice. Something tells me this is not a simple math problem. 

Like a Mirror

Once in awhile, a big lake will be perfectly still. There will not be a ripple or a wave nor hint of a breeze, and the large body of water will be still. I never really know when this is going to happen, but more often than not, it's in the morning. Such was the case this morning. The lake was still as glass and the reflections were amazing. A morning miracle to bring joy to my heart. 

Crafty Me

On the ship I started a few projects, but did not have time to finish them. Yesterday I finished the "Valentine Blanket" of 15 hearts. Even though it's covered in "holes" it is amazingly warm. 

Also from the ship, I learned how to make tiny stuffed teddy bears. The pattern was written for knitting, and I translated it into crochet (which are different languages, so to speak). The two little bears sitting next to my bigger bear still need faces. Sadly, I don't have the right color yarn to make the faces right now...but I will in a day or two when I get to a yarn store. 

There are still two more projects that I need to finish...watch this space, and they will show up.

Trees

The "curly" oaks seem to be thriving. This tree, has a donut in it. Do you see it? This tree has become a honey tree. Sometime last year the bees moved in and made it their own.

Another oak tree. Standing tall and proud over the fish station

Three trees intertwined as one. 

The morning light shining thru the trees. I caught the sun but it does not sparkle. One day I'll take that picture.

Monday Morning at the Lake

Can I follow the path? I don't think so. I keep trying to take a picture of the sun peeking through the trees...so far this is the best I've taken. I'll keep trying. I want the sun to sparkle. It's not easy to capture with an iPhone camera.

A private catio for a feral cat. I talked to his person, and he told me the catio is a compromise. He likes to camp and the cat likes to wander. With the catio, both of them can enjoy the great outdoors.

Even though we are in the middle of winter, the sycamore trees are clinging to their autumn leaves. I wonder when they will get the message that the season changed? 

A Conspiracy of Ravens and Other Musings

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 I walk in the mornings when things are quiet and I observe what's going on. This morning I saw a "conspiracy of ravens"...that means a lot of ravens. I was hoping the collective for Ravens was going to be more exciting, like a "murder of crows" but alas, ravens only drum up a conspiracy

This old tree has seen a lot of days. His limbs are twisted and big chunks are missing...but he's holding his own. Trees are like that.

I call this one "I packed just a little bit" because if you stretch this picture out you will see they have brought everything with them, shovels, a rake, fishing gear, food, buckets, a canopy for the truck bed...and so much more. They are out for the weekend, I wonder what they would bring for a longer stay. What's not pictured are the 3 hammocks tied to the neighboring trees, and the beanbag toss. 

Eat, Sleep, Explore, Repeat

I love creative camping and I saw a new one this morning. It's a rental mini-van with a roof top sleeper made by Juicy. It comes complete with ladder. All you have to do is climb the ladder, raise the "lid" on the sleeping unit, arrange a sleeping bag (I guess) and crawl in. At night it's a cozy place to sleep. There are probably NO amenities, but then when all you need is a bed in a nice campground, who cares about amenities. As for me, I like camping with amenities. I would say this unit is for the younger camper.

If you are wondering about the title, that's written on the side of one of the mini-vans.