Greetings. It's been a long seven months since my last post. I think commuting two hours a day and school work got to me, and I didn't have much left over for writing. The last eight weeks I've spend mostly sitting with my left foot elevated after bunion surgery. But I'm mending nicely and no longer have to wear the post-op boot. I'm in my slippers and Birkenstocks for awhile as the swelling goes down in my foot and toes. I've been knitting mostly wash cloths - something almost mindless, since the pain meds made complicated thinking difficult. Much better now. Since Spring, I've been accumulating photos from the backyard gardens. Some plants, especially the cactus and succulents, have a very short blast of showy flowers so we took photos as soon as they opened.
The two cactus below are about the size of your thumb and without their flowers, are very plain and look like small rocks. However, they bloomed spectacular flowers. We were amazed, since this is our first time growing these plants.
This pastel pink and yellow bloom is from a round cactus about the size of a softball, a gift to Master Gardener D. Not only did it produce beautiful flowers, you can see the baby cactus it is producing, too. These can be (carefullly with gloves) pinched off and replanted.
This picture is on my computer desktop, saved so I can see it daily, since the blooms are long gone in the garden.
Here's the rock garden up against the wall of the house that gets the hottest blast from the sun. Since succulents and cacti are desert plants, they love this spot and quietly grow, reproduce, and fill in the area.
And finally, cacti and red blooms up against an old water pump at the Boschi Ranch where Master Gardener D works and pinches cactus. The new fence in the background is one of his projects.
Master Gardener D took the following photos - these are just a few of the flowers in the rest of the garden. Mother Nature is outdoing herself this year.
And the knitting goes on. Having foot surgery gave me a good excuse to sit and knit, although being house bound got old very fast. This is a scarf I made for my sister C who lives in LA where she can use a light weight scarf when the weather isn't "Sunny California." The yarn is unknown, probably something I found at the thrift shop, but it is beautifully variegated orange and yellow and has the feel of a cotton blend. Unfortunately, this pattern is no longer available. It was published on Ravelry by Sosae Caetano Handmade Designs.
Wash cloths for the Eagles Christmas Bazaar. I will put some of these together in bundles tied with Christmas ribbon. Still working on these and have learned a nice crochet edging as seen on the next photo.
Two bulky knit hats for cold winter nights of watching high school football games or taking to the ski slopes near Tahoe or Mt. Shasta. These will be going to the Bazaar, also.
And lastly, a gift for myself. Love, Love this scarf and it's so easy with yarn that self stripes: http://www.classiceliteyarns.com/WebLetter/283/SkinnyMiteredScarf.pdf I used Lion Brand "Amazing" yarn which is worsted weight - wool / acrylic blend ... lots of wonderful color blends.
I hope this post finds everyone enjoying their summer. In this area, school will be starting in a few weeks. I'll be substitute teaching a few days a month at my favorite school in the foothills, Elk Creek Jr/Sr High School. Special kids and staff there that I enjoying seeing. I'll be posting more garden pics and knitting in the upcoming blogs sooner than seven months. Stay cool.