Beautiful Things for Boys: Quynn Hat

When I found out I was pregnant I spent countless hours dreaming of all of the wonderful things I could make and collect for our new baby.  Don't get me wrong, I didn't want our baby to have everything, I just wanted to make what our baby did have count and to have the things I made or our purchases well thought out.  When I found out that we were expecting a little boy I was super excited, but I quickly realized that almost all of the ideas I had were for a little girl...there aren't nearly as many cute boy *things* (clothes, toys, crafts) out there.

So, I've decided to put together a little blog series: Beautiful Things for Boys...its going to be a mixture of things to make and buy for all of the little men in our lives.  With everything I bring into my home, I try to make sure that the items are things I love (generally things that are "classic" and won't go out of style), they are well made (they can stand the test of time and are safe), and perform their function, these items will be no different.

My first item is a hat I made for my son last fall.  The pattern is Quynn by Wooly Wormhead with some modifications: I knit only four garter ridges plus the cast on edge before switching to stockinette, and I rounded the top of the hat instead of having it come to a point (more details on my version here).  I loved this hat.  It stayed on well, kept my son warm, and looked so cute on him.  I am definitely planning on making him another (longer) one this year!

Radio Silence

It has been over two years since I've posted in this space and since then I've done lots of things, but most importantly, 14 months ago I birthed a beautiful baby boy.  He is the center of our universe and the reason we do, well, anything.  I have so much less "free" time than I used to and so much more to accomplish in it when I get it, but my mind keeps wandering back to this place lately...I'm feeling like it still has something to offer me and I flatter myself to hope that I still have something to offer through it...we shall see...

ETA: I have changed the name of this blog once again, hopefully for the last time.  The name is a reference to my initials, my love of water, and how the strength of my interests change...and I suppose, to some degree it is a reference to the place this blog has had in my life.  Onward and upward.

Summering

Summer is here.  Finally and wonderfully.  My days are being spent outside in the garden, with the chickens, in the pool, river, and lake.  My nights are being spent knitting and working on the house.  It's glorious.

Today I'm headed up to see my favorite person in the world, my Great Grandma, and then to the lake.  I hope you too are finding joy in your summer!

Chickens at 4 Weeks

Groundwork

My days lately have been spent playing in the dirt.  In the past few weeks I've planted my onions, carrots, dry beans, green beans, beets, rutabaga and potatoes in addition to the peas, radishes, garlic, horseradish and herbs that I had previously planted.  This weekend I'll be putting in the rest: tomatoes, squashes, cucumbers, basil, spinach, lettuce, sunflowers, melons, and corn....

I've also been adding to my flower bed with kind gifts from family as they split their perennials.  Everything has been thrown in somewhat willy-nilly this year, not knowing beautiful plant I'll be gifted next, but next year I can rearrange as needed.

This afternoon an itty bitty package, about 3 ft x 8 in. arrived at my doorstep. Despite my extreme skepticism inside was:
- 12 Taylor Red Raspberry Bushes
-3 Allen Black Raspberry Bushes
-2 Concord Grapevines
-1 Ivanhoe Blueberry Bush
-2 Jersey Blueberry Bushes
-2 Bluecrop Blueberry Bushes
-1 Chandler Blueberry Bush
-1 Bluegold Blueberry Bush
-25 Earliglow Strawberry Plants

I also have a Peach Tree and Nectarine Tree that need to be planted, some Dahlia's and Glad's that need to get into the ground, and some annual flower seeds to sow (Bachelor Buttons and Sweet Pea).

It's going to be a busy weekend...a *wonderfully* busy weekend.

Chickens at (Just Over) 1 Week

 Josephine (Buff Orpington). Still the easiest to pick up, not quite as "peck-y" as she was the first few days...

 Olive (Americauna). By far the most difficult to pick up, seems to be trying for the top of the pecking order, starting to grow the typical Americauna "puffs" on her cheeks.  (And check out that leg color...so pretty)

 Luella (Barred Rock). Still the smallest and super sweet.

 Cora (Welsummer).  Still very sweet.

Ingrid (Silver Laced Wyandotte).  Still healthy and still sweet.

They're wing feathers are almost completely in and they've started sprouting tail feathers.  They have at least doubled in size.  Yesterday I brought them out on the grass for the first time as a complete flock and they were (pun intended) chickens.  They preferred being on me to pecking around on the grass, we'll give it another try soon, but I have to tell you, I was kind of flattered...:) 

See how they've grown since last week...

Bar Harbor Fog

I have been feeling like a knitting machine lately, but this is the only project I've managed to take any pictures of yet.  I need to fix that soon!  These were made out of scraps from another project before I started a shawl.  I've found that I like having a quick, little project that only takes a day or two between the bigger, longer projects, it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing more.

I love the simplicity of these booties, but the foot portion looks so wide and deep to me.  I will definitely be trying them again someday, but plan on making a few modifications so they're not quite as deep.  Ravelry details here.