A Haven in the middle of a Suburban Jungle

I heard of a pond in the middle of Folsom, right across from an elementary school. The fact that such a thing existed didn't really surprise me; what did surprise me is how isolated it felt, despite where it was located.

I stepped onto the trail and walked along a picturesque pond, surrounded by marshes. The view was dotted with houses (lucky families!), pine trees

and a pair of Canadian Geese. 

I continued onto the path and followed it to the woods - the woods! What else would you call this sight? It was wonderful to see undeveloped nature in the middle of suburbia. 

Here too, I saw wildflowers 

On the way out, I saw more happy poppies 

and this guy - could he be one of the birds singing while I enjoyed my time in his woods?

Trails trails and more trails

There is a trail that I keep driving past whenever I drive my kids to school. I always think to myself - tomorrow, I am going to bring my camera and hike that trail! Well, I finally did it. I dropped off my son at Spring Break Camp and took a detour. Lovely California Poppies greeted me...

It was a fairly well-paved trail...

with Winter Vetch still present, along with little yellow flowers whose name I am not familiar with yet (some day I will though!). In case you are wondering, Winter Vetch has darker colored flowers than Spring Vetch. In my very humble opinion, this deeper color is prettier =)

The best part is that there were some trails that led off to who-knows-where - a great place for exploring!

I followed one of the side trails and it didn't lead to anything really interesting. However, looking around the open field, I did notice some of the small wildflowers that grow abundantly in this area this time of year.

Goldfields?

I also heard from a friend that the trails eventually lead to the river. I am happy to know this; I will probably take the kids here soon. In the meantime, here are some other photos of the flowers and plants that I saw:

Common Pineapple Weed

 Filaree, with Fairy Scissors!

Blue Dicks?

Hare Barley

Woolly Mullien

Thistle

Ripgut Brome

Ithuriel's Spear 

 Shepherd's Purse?

Miner's Lettuce

 

Yarrow

Spring Break 2014

Spring Break started this year on April 12. I found myself in Gold Country with my 2 kids so we decided to stop by the Gold Bug Mine. My son wanted to "mine for gems and gold" so I paid a whopping $6 for all three of us to pan for riches.

On Sunday, our family went on the Wildflower Walk at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center. I enjoyed the soft sun on my skin and the soothing breeze on my skin as our guide, Rachael, took us around the park and introduced us to many of the plants that were finally making their appearance. 

Lupine

Douglas Irises, near the front of the museum

Miner's lettuce

One of the many trees that call the EYNC home

Wild Turkeys showing off

Filaree

and this little guy enjoying the shade. 

Today, I took the kids to the Hinkle Creek Nature Trail. Once we stepped onto the trail, the sounds of chirps, bird calls, and the gobbles of wild turkeys filled the air, and the sounds of civilization floated away. It was an easy, well shaded hike with just enough hilly terrain to keep things fun and interesting for the kids. 

I can't tell you how many times they ran up and down this part of the trail. My son declared, "I LOVE trails like this, mom!"

TONS of yellow and purple wildflowers carpeted the fields:

My husband said that this looks like something out of "Little House on the Prairie"

and although we didn't see a lot of wildlife, we did spot these:

Wild Turkeys - must be turkey season!

and a black lizard that my kids spotted. Can you see him on the log?

Not starstruck

I met Tabra Tunoa today at Rainbow Bridge Jewelers, a fantastic jewelry store and gallery where you will find many limited edition and one of a kind jewelry. I love it - I almost feel like I shouldn't share this delicious local gem (pun intended) in Folsom, but I want them to stay in business. Just don't buy any pieces that I want!

Seriously though...I had a lot more fun talking to her than I thought I would. Tabra is so nice and affable. She currently lives in Bali and owns land in Costa Rica, intending to build an artist colony there. After I mentioned that I was born in the Philippines, we talked about her adventures in Cebu, where she used to visit alot, and has purchased a lot of cowri and other shells. She also mentioned that she bought a lot of bones there that she still uses for her jewelry. She only uses material that is farmed responsibly and ethically and never uses materials from endangered animals. I left after 2 hours (!) before realizing that I should've had my picture taken with her. I returned before the store closed and luckily it wasn't busy so Erin took this picture:

Well, this is my excitement for the year. This was the first time that I've ever met someone that I have only heard about and whose art I've admired. Starstruck? Not me - Tabra is too grounded for that. I am just glad that I took the chance to get to meet a really incredible person.

Graham Cracker Houses

My son's class made Gingerbread Houses out of graham crackers today. They turned out so CUTE. I will post the pictures as soon as I am done with my Christmas knitting......

Finally, the picture! Didn't it turn out so cute? He was so proud =)

Rainbow Elf

Rainbow Elf

A hat designed by Gryffngurl

All rights reserved for the hat design and photos

I LOVE to make hats for the holidays. This year, I wanted to knit something different from what I usually make. This pattern incorporates something that I didn't think I would enjoy - making stripes (with all the weaving in!) and a design element that I love - lots of floppiness.


This is just a formula. You will notice in the instructions that I did not include details for when to change stripes. I made several versions of this hat; all of them have stripes with different widths and different colors. My favorite washable yarn is Plymouth Encore. If your LYS carries this brand and has the neon colors I suggest using the neon yellow, green, and orange. For the red and blue, I suggest finding the brightest that you can find.

Notes:
If you want less of a "tail", you can increase on every 4th row (instead of on the 7th row).
If you want more of a "tail" knit the 12 stitches after the first increase row for more than 6 rows.**

Abbreviations:K=Knit
M1=Make one increase. Here is a link if you are not familiar with this increase, please look at this link: http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/wptutorials/make-1-increase/
PM=Place a stitchmarker
SM=Slip marker from left to right needle

Supplies used:
Size 9 circular needles (or any size that gives you gauge)
Worsted weight yarn in whatever colors you would like. I used Plymouth Encore.
6 stitchmarkers (one different from the others )

Gauge: 4.5 stitches/inch

PATTERN:

Cast on 6 stitches (I used Judy's Magic Cast On). However you can use any circular cast on. PM the stitchmarker that is different from the others to indicate beginning of round.

Row 1: Knit

Row 2: *K1, M1, PM repeat from * to end (12 stitches)

Knit 6 rows even **

Next row: *K2, M1, SM, repeat from * to end (18 stitches)

Knit 6 rows even

Next row: *K3, M1, SM, repeat from * to end (24 stitches)

Continue in this manner, increasing 6 stitches on every 7th row until you have 84 stitches.

Knit even until hat measures 14 inches from the top.

Next row, change to K1, P1 rib pattern.

Knit even for about 3 inches.

Bind off (I use Jeny's Stretchy Bind Off)
Voilà! Your hat is done! 

Please let me know if you have any questions. =) Happy Holidays!