Summer Reading Program...for Grups!

Here is one of my current projects and all of my reading! I am working on a Companion Scarf from the book Geek Knits for Maddie. I got the book out of the library and Maddie promptly asked for about 10 different items from it! This one is based on Doctor Who. I told her I might make the Dragonrider Shrug but only time will tell.

Maddie and one of the day care girls convinced me to sign up for the adult summer reading program at the library. The reason was that we are all working on the same bingo card to get raffle tickets! Fortunately I finished the Beatrix Potter biography and was able to check off a box right away. Then I read a book on my kindle called The Sisters of St.Croix which let me check off another box. I read a couple of knitting books and checked off the "read a factual book box". I knit the mitten bookmark that came with the Little House Shawl pattern and that was another box (make a bookmark). So I seem to be steaming right along and catching up to the girls. I needed to read a Sci-Fi or Fantasy book to make a row so I picked up Eragon . Maddie had started this and put it down but now that Momma is reading and enjoying it she is eyeing it again! I am also reading, and will be reading for a while to come, The History of the Ancient World by Susan Wise Bauer. This will be Maddie's history text next year. I decided to read it over the course of a school year so I will have notes for next year and know the speed we should be moving in order to get through the whole thing!

What are you reading and knitting or crafting? Joining Ginny at Small Things for the Yarn A Long.

Eighth Grade!!!

Today is the start of 8th grade. Where has the time gone? It has flown by rapidly! And yet slowly all at the same time. 

Every year I say I am not going to do the back to school fairy any more, she is getting too old, it is silly and yet, somehow all the things for it end up in my cart any way! So she woke up to some fun things this morning....

We took a few more first day shots being silly.....

Then Maddie was telling Harry, the dog next door, not to worry about us. It was only the first day of school after all. I got a good real smile in the photo that time! Between us I think Harry is always worried about us. We get a lot of strange looks on going in and out.

Maddie finished up her work well and quickly today. We are taking it easy for the first two weeks then Maddie is off to Camp Fowler for a week. Then back at it and a week off at the end of August for some camping fun. 

Here's to a good year for all!! Then, oh my goodness, high school......

Mother Bear Yarn Along

I just recently learned about the Mother Bear Project and sent for a pattern. The pattern arrived yesterday and I sat down to cast a bear on last night. It looks like it should be easy to accomplish!

I am still reading about Beatrix Potter but the end is in sight. I have loved every minute of the book however! She was quite a character in her old age and the reading has been enjoyable.

What are you reading and knitting?

Joining Ginny at Small Things for the Yarn Along.

Camp Fowler....just because!

We made a trip up to Camp Fowler this morning for the church service then walked about for a bit looking for items to send in our nature exchange package! Maddie wanted to include some things from one of her favorite spots. It is so pretty there!

We packed lunch and stopped by the Sacandaga River to eat on the way home. This means, of course, a trip down to the river bank! I had to get some shots of Maddie in her new hat too! 

Now we are home to bake bread, try roasting strawberries from the leftovers from jam making and generally banging about! One more day of rest before work again!

The Garden!

This morning the garden was a weedy mess but by tonight I think we are looking pretty good! We have tomatoes of many different varieties, beans (pole & bush), some carrots (they didn't survive the weeds too well!), radishes, dinosaur kale, brussel sprouts, dill, cucumbers, and romanesco broccoli.

beans

trellis hopefully to help the beans and cucumbers

pole beans and cucumbers

Maddie's favorite-Japanese Maple

adding straw-photo by Maddie

brussel sprouts

kale

Fox Creek Farm

This morning we took another farm trip! This time we went to Fox Creek Farm where we have a CSA share and were given a tour of the farm. It was a lot of fun and they were happy to let us take some photos. We learned that, like us, they are both a homeschool and 4H family! I tried using the big camera again and got some shots but am still working on focusing.

Brian by the tomatoes! He can't wait for those to start coming.

Brian picking sugar snap peas.

Dog in the pond! 

There are some beautiful views here! 

The U Pick garden which is open for those with shares to pick from. Only chives and oregano were ready so far.

Brian took the camera while I cut some chives to saute with the peas! 

I think we will be making a lot of trips back this summer! For the U Pick and the fun photo opportunities. Maddie got several good shots. Some beautiful ones of the peas in the pod with sunlight filtering through! Macro girl was having a good time there. 

Knit Along!

Here is my temperature scarf so far! I thought I would share on the summer solstice week. It has been fun although there are a few times where I fell behind and had to do some research. One row per day in a color matching the temperature. It has been fun this year because the temperatures have been odd so there are some green days in the winter when it was in the 50s and some red in the early spring due to 90s!

This is my pioneer girl shawl! I am so excited because I learned (am learning!) how to make an applied edging. I am almost done! My notes are here.

I am still working my way through the Beatrix Potter biography. Its really good but my reading time is right before bed! There are days when I can only manage a page or 2 before I have to turn out the light.

What are you knitting and reading?

Joining Ginny at Small Things for the Yarn Along.