Hey, let's go to Bend for the weekend!

Jacob and I decided that we were going to go visit some great friends of ours that live in Bend, OR. We had never been there before. Every time we mentioned "we are headed to Bend this weekend" to anyone they would say "Oh! I love Bend!" We were so excited.

The trip started out last Saturday morning. All of us, Jacob, Tank and myself, drove up over Mt. Hood and it was beautiful. I was doing all the things I love to do in the car...listening to great tunes, knitting and eating beef jerky!



When we arrived, we were greeted with a warm welcome, a beer and the most glorious lunch I have had in ages. Home made coconut crab and lamb soup with puff pastry tarts. DAMN. THAT WAS GOOD. While planning our evening, Jacob and I noticed that Tank seemed a little bit stiff. That is not uncommon for a 107 lb. giant golden retriever that has just been on a 4 hour car ride. We didn't pay much attention to it because he had taken 2 spills in the car which would result in him moving around this way. Off to Deschutes, Bend Brewing and this cocktail bar called Vault (i think.) We were shown a good time while experiencing the night life of Bend....

When we arrived back at the house,around 11 pm, Tank was not looking good at all. He was barely able to move. He did show some interest in drinking water and was able to go on a short walk to use the bathroom. We just figured his condition could still possibly be from the car ride but decided to keep a watchful eye on him just in case.

Around 2 am is when it became obvious that Tank needed the attention of a vet. His breathing was labored and his extremities (feet, nose and inside his mouth) were ice cold. We was completely unable to move at this time, so Corey brought in a mechanics 'sled' to load him onto. Jacob and Corey carried Tank to the car and we were off. When we arrived at the vet, the snow was really coming down. They brought our a gurney and wheeled him directly back to examine him. About 5 minutes later the doctor came out and said she had found straw colored fluid in his abdomen. She suggested an ultrasound of his heart as well due to it beating 200 bpm rather than the standard 90 bpm. When the results came back, fluid around the heart, we knew that we were to be faced with a night of deep sorrow. Our dog, our friend, had a terminal ailment and we, after hours of loving on him and crying knew what our role was.

We were escorted to a quiet room with dim lighting, pillows and a comfortable couch. There was a blanket laid down on the floor where Tank, when they brought him in, was to lay. We said our goodbyes and notified the vet when we were ready for the injection. There were a series of 3 shots and then Tank was gone.

In one evening into the night, our lives changed again forever. Two months prior, almost to the day, we were faced with no choice but to put our other dog, Hanna, to sleep. I am sure that part of the reason Tank passed away was due to a broken heart. The loss of Hanna weighed heavy on all of us. Perhaps more than we even realized. Tank stayed around long enough to see that Jacob and I would survive after Hanna's passing, and then, he too let go. Those dogs continue to be humongous bright spots in our lives. They inspire me every day to keep moving towards things that make me happy...to pay attention to the little things that make me smile. Their spirits, in death as well as in life, are so strong and guide me through. I love my dogs forever and ever and ever. If I close my eyes I can still nuzzle my face in their fur.

A Trilobite Hat

So, to be honest, I really didn't know much about trilobites when I discovered this pattern. I simply thought it looked cool. This project was a learning experience on a few different levels. It was pretty simple, for the most part, though drinking too much wine while knitting reared it's ugly head once. Not a mistake that couldn't be fixed however. It made me curious to learn a little about them....if you are curious too, follow this link:

I also was reminded that I absolutely love knitting with Berroco Peruvia. It is a highland wool that is oh so soft and the finished product looks of superior quality. Inexpensive and a luxury all at once. LOVE THAT.

It's another rainy day here in Stevenson. I guess I'm not quite used to the idea of it being so dark. I am getting the house ready for 2 house guests tonight. It's the 9th anniversary week at Walking Man and a couple of beer lovin' friends are going to crash with us. I am looking forward to it.

Jacob, Tank and I are headed to Bend this weekend to visit Corey and Anastasia. I've never spent any time there and am very excited to get away! Sometimes those little weekend trips are so great at recharging the old batteries!

Off to swim laps at the pool!

Happy Creating,
April

Summer's Over, Back to the Blogging!!!

So, the days have turned to short and chilly and the inside activities are beconing once again. I have been busy working on discovering new knitting patterns to bust through my stash. So far, I have been pretty dang successful. I am also trying to decide whether or not to do Christmas knitting this year. Now that it's November 16th, I think that choice may have already been made!!!
I love fall and it is the most inspiring time of year for me. The colors, the smells the food!!! We were just in Portland this last weekend hanging out with some great people in great places. I had one of the best Reuben sandwiches of all time at Pause on Interstate. They smoke their own pastrami people!! It was great to be in the city on a sunny fall day. Well...more to come. Glad to be back!

Busy, busy, busy!

So, I have been very busy with all sorts of fun things lately. I finished my Cosby scarf...which turned out beautifully, a striped scarf made of Noro as well as a satchel for my friend Kathryn's birthday gift. I just started the Vortex hat from Ravelry.com. I am using my 2 favorite yarns, Noro Kuereyon and Malabrigo,to make this interesting and fun hat. I am pretty sure I can finish it today before work.

My mom and sister were also out for a visit from Montana. It was blissful, as usual, to see them. We had way too much fun like we tend to do. We enjoyed great food, beer and wine, as well as a trip to the coast. The weather was fantastic and the dogs were in heaven.

I just got a new computer and am still figuring out the photo program. I will be posting some pictures of recently knit items, as well as some beach shots. Hopefully in the next couple of days or so!

Happy Creating,
April

Handmade Nation, Etc.

So, I went to the Portland Premiere of Handmade Nation on Sunday. It was WONDERFUL. You really must see it if you get the chance. I visualize crafters worldwide renting the moving, getting together for a craft night, and watching it. It was really cool to meet Faythe Lavine too. She was delightful.
The day before, Saturday, was the first anniversary of Birdhouse Quilting and Yarn. It was really great to hang out with the Stitch N' Bitch crew, and others, in the back classroom. We were sharing patterns, knitting and aiding eachother if we were stuck on something. Prices were discounted 30%, so I stocked up on some Noro and Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweed. YUM! I am planning on making an over the shoulder bag with the tweed. It is a wonderful shade of orange...Speaking of orange....
The sun has been out for 4 days! I got a sunburn working in my yard all day yesterday. How amazing! My mom and sister are coming for a visit at the end of April, so, I wanted to spruce up my yard. What a project. It was weird to go a day without knitting...my last thought before I fell asleep was about yarn and my nearly completed Cosby scarf....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Well, off to start the day, in the sun. I am definately going to walk to work today.
Happy Creativity,
April

Good Day Sunshine!

OMG! The sun it out ladies and gentleman! It hasn't happened in way too long!!!! Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like the sun. Living in the only land locked rainforest in North America can be a little grey sometimes. It feels like I am swimming for about 10 months out of the year.

I have been busy working on a scarf made from a funky vintage yarn called "Reynolds Classique." It is from France and was a gift from one of my friends. It smells like little old lady, but is absolutely beautiful. It is 100% virgin wool and looks like it is braided. The pattern I chose was the Berroco Wedge Scarf found on Ravelry. It has a nice balance of lacework and an interesting pattern. This yarn is perfect for it.

I am trying to finish the scarf before Sunday. My friend and I have tickets to see the Portland Premiere of "Handmade Nation." If you are not familiar with this documentary, you can check it out at www.handmadenationmovie.com

I am beyond excited for it! Here's to sunshine and inspiration.
April

Ravelry Application

Hey All!
So, I have finished my Ravelry application for the "Email Fairy" postition. I completed a slideshow that is a glimpse into my life in the Gorge and knitting. Here is a little sneak peek of a couple of the slides...





I was just at Knot Another Hat in Hood River yesterday loving on their most recent shipment of Malabrigo. I got a skein that looks like it might glow in the dark! Woah! Can't wait to create something fabulous with it.

I am currently working on a hat for a friend who gave me these guidelines...blue, and plain. Well, I don't really care for most shades of blue, and plain just isn't super easy for me to understand. I chose a blue skein from the Cascade Heathers 220 collection. It reminds me exactly of when a blue pen explodes and gets all over your hands. I decided to go with a cable pattern for the hat. I think it will come out nicely and not be too over the top for Nathan.

That's all for now.
Happy Knitting,
April

Ooooops!

So, in an attempt to make my Amelia hat fit better....I felted it! Crap! I know better, and Malabrigo is the type of yarn that felts if you look at it sideways! Anyway, I can still see the pattern, though barely, and it does fit me much better. I will still wear it, and it is not a total loss...ugh! Will post a pic as soon as I take one!

New Hat and Some Deer

I just recently finished a hat pattern that I have been wanting to do for a while. I used my favorite yarn....Malabrigo, in a gorgeous sunshine hue! It's been so grey and wet all winter and I needed a big punch of color. Mission accomplished!





I got home from work about 20 minutes ago and witnessed the following in my neighbor's yard right next to my driveway! The deer had a hard winter this year and have been coming down and feasting on the budding plants around our house. I still get so excited to see them! Most people around here consider them pests, but they are always welcome in my yard. After moving from Portland, I love being surrounded by nature. Gotta love living in the sticks. :)



I am going to begin work on my application for my favorite website, Ravelry.com, starting tomorrow with my friend, Jenn. I think I have the perfect idea! Hope the folks at Ravelry think so too! Keep your fingers crossed....

Best!
April

Coming back to blogging.....

It has certainly been a while since either of us have blogged! We are excited to get back to it! Welcome to our loyal friends, both new and old. This blog will be dedicated to our creative outlets.

Squirrel (Jacob) loves: making beer, making beads from driftwood, creating with resin and natural elements, cooking, making cheese and his dogs.

Fox (April) loves: knitting, papercrafts, all things crafty really, hiking, baking, dance party, and her dogs.

The things we love are certainly not limited to the aforementioned items, but it is a good start!

More to come....

Keep the creative juices flowin'

Fox and Squirrel

By the way, our dogs are named Tank (the golden retriever) and Hanna (the flat-coated retriever) and they rule.