Little Baby Things

My brother and sister in law welcomed a new baby into their family on Mother's Day. She has been much anticipated and was the only reason I second guessed out trip east. To make up for my absence, I have been making. This little wonder is in desperate need of a few handmade gifts from her auntie who is far away right now.

A month ago, my sister in law requested a nursing hat for her wee baby. She sent me the link for a crocheted hat. I don't really crochet. I can, but it takes me a bit of time. I procrastinated and even tried to commission a friend to make it. Finally I settled in with my hook and whipped it up in about an hour. Not sure why I hemmed and hawed about making it. I am hoping it fits, since my hands have not held a small baby in quite some time. It is hard to remember how tiny they are.

Her bigger gift is not quite done. The main piece is complete, but I am only halfway done with the border.  In lieu of cuddles, I am furiously trying to finish this gift for her. I have just a bit more to knit, so it should be done by the end of the week. I may even make a quick pair of Saartje's booties to go with it. I think the colors will looks really nice together. I will photograph it in color when it is complete and mailed. I tried to disguise it a bit in this photo. I would hate to ruin the surprise.

I started Sheepish: Two Women, Fifty Sheep, and Enough Wool to Save the Planet after reading a couple recommendations for it from others in Ginny's Yarn Along. I am quite enjoying it. I am about halfway through it. It does read quite quickly. I am not sure what will be next. I have a few books on hold, but I really need to delve back into Distant Hours. I have not picked it up since we arrived in D.C.

What about you? Any gift knitting or crocheting in your work basket?

Opportunities

While in the metropolitan D.C. area, we are trying to soak up all we can. This past week, the kids and I had an opportunity to learn aboard a buyboat on the Anacostia River. Through an organization called Living Classrooms, children are shown the world hands on. I was told about the opportunity while at one of the local park days. We couldn't pass it up.

With several other children and three staff, we learned about our current environment. The kiddos threw in a net working together with a call and response system. They figured out how the net worked and found it once it was in the water. Hoisting it back into the boat, they found several fish trapped within its confines. The fish were then deposited into a holding tank for further exploration. Everyone was able to hold and examine the fish. The children identified them, classified them and recorded the number of each type (white perch, pumpkinseed sunfish and striper). The fish were then returned to the river.

Another finer net was thrown overboard to capture a few smaller river creatures. These zooplankton and phytoplankton wiggled and swam under the lens of a microscope for the kiddos to see. The staff told them all about the microscopic organisms found in the river. They discussed the environment and pollutants as well as our responsibility to the world around us.

A chance to man the boat was a big hit. Under the careful eye of the captain each of the kiddos had a chance to steer. It was almost as much fun as ringing the bell to let the staff know it was getting time to switch focus.

We were so glad to have found out about this opportunity. This area has a lot of fantastic places to explore and things to do. We are only scratching the surface, but we are having such fun doing it.

My Mom

loves her children and grandchildren

works hard

is smart and learned

shares her knowledge with others

teaches

cares deeply

creates

can cook delicious meals

helps when asked

is reserved and quiet

will get down and play with my children

loves to shop and can always find a bargain

has a good eye for fashion and dresses well

likes it when my children sleep over (per Eamon)

is active exploring the outdoors and helping others experience its wonder

remembers the little things

and has hummingbirds in her backyard (also from Eamon)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Gettysburg

We took a day trip to explore Gettysburg together. The weather was gorgeous; those we met kept talking about what a wonderful day it was.

We began with a walking tour of the cemetery. Our guide shared so many facts about the three day battle. The magnitude of human life lost or injured was startling.  We talked about the lack of sanitation, medical aid or expertise and the fact that the soldiers walked there. (I was reminded me of the book I just finished - My Name Is Mary Sutter). It is so hard to comprehend this fight within the realm of our world today.

Our volunteer docent told us about the fence separating the National Cemetery from the town's cemetery. It came from the White House during Lincoln's tenure. He also described the significance of the Soldier's National Monument and its five carved statues. The finale was a recitation of Lincoln's 272 word, 2 minute address which was made there during the war - The Gettysburg Address. The older kiddos listened to it all. They were particularly struck by the idea of what it must have smelled like after the battle. Aine was most interested in the fence, which is in perfect condition after so many years.

We then toured the area by car for the auto tour. We stopped at various locations to see the area. It is much more wooded now. We talked about how the military used the hills and valleys to their advantage. Dave marveled at how big of an area it was. I was amazed at how costly it was in turns of human equity and land. We climbed to the top of viewing towers to get an idea of the enormity of the place. We noticed how many cannons there were.

The kiddos obtained trading cards with photos depicting people and places from the battle. They were given one at the beginning by a ranger and told they would earn the rest after they toured if they knew a thing or two about Gettysburg. Armed with newly found knowledge, they asked and received their cards. 

{this moment}

{this moment} - Joining Amanda in a Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Warm Fuzzies

I have a mental list of things I would like to do in my life. It isn't fancy and the list sometimes changes as I change. This past weekend I was able to check one of the items off my list. I went to the Maryland Wool and Sheep Festival. This may seem like a funny item to have on your list, but I have wanted to go for several years. This mythical event would pop up from time to time in my blog reading or ravelry searches. It sounded like such fun and possibly a bit dangerous for my wallet.

A couple weeks ago, I randomly checked to see when it is held. I think I squeaked a bit when I realized it was in just two weeks. EEeeeek! I could go. It is only an hour from where we live. I could go! I read all I could about preparing for the festival and decided to go on Sunday. Then I realized it was on our anniversary. Dave loves me to bits, but a fiber festival is not high on his mental bucket list. I stewed for a bit and with his encouragement, decided to go.

I dressed early on Sunday and set off. Of course, my outfit had to include a hand knit (my Multnomah shawl in TIG). I was lucky that the day was overcast with a bit of intermittent drizzle - perfect for wool. When I arrived, I was amazed. The event is huge. It is the size of a state fair devoted entirely to a single theme. I roamed the outdoor vendor stalls first looking at and touching all the yarn. I watched spinners and knitters enjoying their craft (not as many crocheters for some reason). I toyed with the idea of a drop spindle and then remembered my yarn stash. I don't need another obsession hobby, although the vendor and I joked that it could feed my current one.

I thought of my dad as I walked through sheep barns. He always took me to the Hillsdale County Fair as a kid, and we traditionally went to the barns first before all else. Inside the barns, there were so many different breeds both shorn and unshorn. I watched a reluctant sheep get shorn as well as a nonchalant one. The latter just let his handler shave away. She didn't bother with the sheep stand and strap to hold him. She just flopped him around as she quickly clipped. It was cool.

I even watched the sheepdog contest for a bit. Those dogs really know their stuff. I thought of Jacqui (a fellow Yarn Alonger) at home in her croft in Scotland with her husband training their sheepdog. The sheep would huddle together and move as one as the dog approached. They warily eyed each other. Those five sheep moved fluidly as a unit spurred by the dog's movements and the man's commands. It was interesting and gave me a greater appreciation of the word sheeple.

I did end up buying a couple items. I knew I didn't need any yarn, but a certain nine year old asked for green socks. I bought a gorgeous skein of Bugga in Greater Arid-Land Katydid from the Verdant Gryphon. I also stopped by the booth of Jenny the Potter. I have admired her yarn bowls and recognized her work immediately. I talked with her a bit and ended up with a beautiful yarn bowl and two sets of buttons.

Fiber enthusiasts are an amazing group of people. This event gave me such warm fuzzies. Everyone was kind and helpful. There were so many beautiful hand knits being worn. I saw patterns I want to knit, and those I have already made. I pet gorgeous yarn and touched new to me fibers. People exchanged compliments admiring each others' hand knits both the work and color. It was truly a hyacinth to my soul. I am so glad I went and hope to attend again soon.

(Oh, and in Yarn Along fashion, I am finishing up The Paris Wife. It is a bit slow, but I find the subject intriguing. It is more historical fiction. This time the subject is Ernest Hemingway's first wife Hadley. I have already begun googling to know more about this woman and the man to whom she was married) 

We love

Sometimes I get scared of all the what-ifs in life. Most of them are far from real, but they can occupy my mind. The workings of my imagination can spiral. I like to plan for the unexpected, so I create various what-if scenarios.

These what-ifs have become more visible where we live. Police officers are stationed outside the metro stops. We walk by men armed with some type of huge gun meant to kill many as we purchase our smart cards for the bus and train. Memorials are erected to those who fought and served or those just caught in the melee.

My children do not know about 9-11. We don't watch the news. I shield them from the horrors of fighting and war as well as the random violence people perpetuate against each other. Why must they know? They  are young and unclouded by such things. And then we walk by evidence of fear in our new town. My inquisitive young girl asks why there are so many guns. What is that rumpled piece of steel with the plaque for? Why? I find it so hard to explain to the small people that accompany me around town. How do I explain the craziness that can happen when I cannot understand it.

So instead I make plans. We focus on all the good and see the mysteries around us. We talk about fear and the idea of safety. We love.

An Apt Name

Can you spot the heron? They just hung out along the rocks swooping among the falls.

The Potomac drops approximately 75 ft at these falls

Eamon found this little puddle of life. This millipede was the biggest he found.

Studying millipedes

Identifying a new to us tree by its flower - Tuliptree

The lock remains

An afternoon trip to Great Falls National Park was filled with discovery and adventure. The falls were breathtaking as were the kayakers who battled the current and even got flipped over. I found myself holding my breath in awe. The height and swiftness of the river made Dave a little nervous. The kiddos jumped and leaped over rocks to gain a better view from each of the overlooks. The fury of the water was impressive and so difficult to capture.

We noticed herons along the rocky water's edge. They would swoop toward the current and return to their perch. We didn't catch a glimpse of them retrieving any fish from the rapids though. One the ground, the kiddos were amazed by the millipedes we found everywhere. They studied them and made sure everyone knew about the creatures. Other children huddled around for a chance to look or hold. They searched for new plants to identify and the elusive four-leaf clover. We used our spotters guide to figure out trees that are new to us.

Ruins of old towns and locks elicited stories and musings about generations past. We talked about how the town could have been lost to fire if the homes had stone foundations. We looked for treasures. Huge fairy houses were discovered and spruced up a bit.

Our family bought an annual pass to the national parks during this trip vowing to return for more hiking. We also want to explore the Maryland side of the falls. They were really impressive and I can see why they are called Great Falls.