Summer Medley

Well, friends, it happens every year. And somehow it surprises me every year. Summer Fatigue. Even though we've had some lovely days of low humidity and a break from the super heat, toward the end of August and into September I notice that the summer here in the south just wears on me.

I feel tired and like not doing anything. At all. I don't just lay around and I do plenty of things, but I really have to psych myself up for them.

I feel like I've lost my creative mojo as well since my studio upstairs just gets too warm to be in it long. I haven't painted in a week or so, I haven't done any sewing, but I've done plenty of knitting, which I can do downstairs where it's cooler.

The upstairs rooms heat up with the afternoon sun and don't really cool down much even at night and even with the A/C going. If we'd lower the A/C enough that the upstairs is cool, we'd be icicles downstairs...

I know this will come to an end. But I'm used to living in areas where the end of August and September would already bring the first hint of fall. You have to look really hard here to find that first hint. Usually it's the leaves on our fig tree turning brown and falling off. At first I used to think it had some terrible disease until I realized that it's just fall for the tree even though for us it's still hot summer.

Here are of my knitting efforts - this is really pretty and sparkly yarn and the scarves are like jewels. I've also used it to make some of my beaded necklaces. Gorgeous!!

Winslow thinks it's way too warm as well, although we've all enjoyed the momentary reprieve from humidity with long mornings spent on the back porch and walking the neighborhood. We were even able to open the windows for a while in the mornings getting some fresh air into the house.

Here's another scarf I made. This is done with really soft and warm yarn, but with a lacy pattern. It was fun to knit and made me think of winter.

This morning I was trying to get a good picture of it on the back porch.

As soon as I picked up the scarf, Louie thought it was time to be scratched and photographed.

He definitely made himself comfortable and my scarf photo shoot was over. That's ok. I was getting too warm anyway.

I hope that the weather pleases you wherever you are! I'll continue to dream of fall and winter...

The scarves are all available in my Etsy shop (the link is on my left side bar).

❧ Silke

A cozy Sunday

I'm glad you all enjoyed my Savannah post. It's such a pretty town, isn't it?

Finding my happy moments today was not difficult. It's a cool and sunny November day and I am snuggled under my oh so soft crocheted blanket with my knitting and Ramses by my side.  

Earlier, Winslow was curled up on the guest bed,

And this morning Louie was snuggled in nicely on the back porch.

I hope your day is equally relaxing and cozy!

Kitty Love

With our animals there's never a shortage of photo apps. The day we returned from our little road trip, Ramses decided he would not leave my lap, so I snapped a few pictures.

Of course, he always loves to help me knit...

Deep in meditation!

And we're knitting again...

Our two outdoor kitties, Louie (on the left) and Tucker at a stand off. They are two semi-feral cats who have adopted us. And it seems that both are here to stay.

Louie is a total snuggler and Tucker is becoming incredibly playful and trusting.

See what I said about Louie and snuggling - he found his place on Daniel's lap. And once he's settled, he can stay that way for hours getting his belly rubbed. Too cute!

With loud purring, our three kitties send you much love and wish you an amazing Thursday...

❧ Silke

Trying to read...

Last weekend the weather was so perfect that we spent much time out on our back porch reading. And this is what happens every time:

The cats see an available lap and ... well, you can see for yourself!

And of course Winslow has to be part of it all as well.

We wouldn't have it any other way!

Wishing you a beautiful evening!

❧ Silke

Another Walk and the Giveaway Winner

You might get tired of these "dog walk" photos, but this is the season for us to be outside and enjoy the cool weather. So, I hope you'll indulge me for a while longer.

What had me captured most of all on this outing was the sky, which was still pink when we left the house.

Below is one of the neighborhood ponds. It is quite large actually.

Just look at these clouds! I wonder what the weather will bring...

Someone had these beautiful ornamental cabbages by their mailbox. Aren't they gorgeous?

I think Winslow was wondering why I was stopping so often to take photos...

Awkward self portrait!

And this was Louie yesterday all tucked in to his nest. It was cool, but the sun was nice and warm. 

And now to my giveaway from the "Grow Your Blog Party" post. I used the random number generator and it spit out Number 2, which is Ines, aka Eusebia Blumenstengel of Funkelglück! It looks as though my little clutch is headed to Germany! Congratulations!!

I am off to the health food store to get some spelt flour so I can bake bread. It's a baking kind of day...

Wishing you much joy and happiness today!!

❧ Silke

Changing Pace

Daniel and I often comment on how much we  learn from our pets on a daily basis. Winslow reminds us to stop what we are doing and play, move around and get a little wild sometimes. Ramses teaches us what it looks like to be totally relaxed! And then there's Louie, our little feral neighborhood cat...

Winslow and Louie adore each other!

As some of you may remember, last summer he suddenly adopted us, and while he is still strictly an outdoor cat, he has become the most affectionate of all the cats we've ever had. And that fact alone is teaching us to slow down and just be.

Several times a day, we see his little head pop up by our front or back door, which means it's time to go outside and sit for a while with Louie on our lap, simply enjoying the garden and the trees, listening to the birds and the very loud purring, watching the squirrels do their acrobatics, and letting our thoughts wander.

And each time, afterward I feel as though all is right in my world again.

Sometimes the biggest teachers come in the most unusual disguises, don't you think?

❧ Silke

Moments in Time

Do you ever have days when you feel just incredibly content? When your little world is just as it should be and you wouldn't change a thing? I had a day like that yesterday and I took some pictures along the way to share with you. 

Ramses making a nest in the pine needles Daniel was about to clean up.  

Pine cones from the garden. They all came down during the recent windy days and now look pretty in the house. 

A picture of peace: all three animals in one spot. Can you spy them all? Just click on the picture to make it bigger. That huge begonia we grew from one leaf that we picked somewhere in town last year.

Louie being very intense.  In reality, he was just stretching toward me to be petted. He loves to cuddle.

The last hydrangeas on the window sill in the kitchen (I love that picture of Daniel in Ireland).

The last of the purple basil picked and ready to be used in our favorite Thai chicken dish next week.

Surprise yarn I got in the mail. I had ordered a super cheap packet of five skeins of this cotton yarn, but the color was going to be a surprise. It couldn't have been more perfect for me! And each skein is over 300 yards long, so there's enough for a nice project or two!

Now to the food! The chicken broth I made on Friday was transformed into a delicious chicken noodle veggie soup yesterday ~ to eat next week and for the freezer for later.

Fresh out-of-the-oven pumpkin pie I made on Friday.

Delicious!!

Last night I made a green salad with pears, blue cheese and walnuts...

and risotto with crispy sage leaves and pears.

Nothing grand, but somehow everything felt special. A day to be savored. And that I did.

Wishing you a beautiful Sunday!!

❧ Silke