Thursday, October 22, 2009

Friday Fave Five

Welcome to Friday Fave Five, hosted by Susanne at Living To Tell The Story. FFF is a weekly reminder of what we are thankful for each week, what we're loving.

1. This is the third week of October. Autumn has blown in to the Northern Hemisphere and Spring is in full bloom in the South half of our world. Here in Southern California (@35 degrees N latitude), our nights and mornings are cool, but our mid days and afternoons are warm, allowing the pinkish lavender mums growing in my back garden to continue to blossom.

2. October is the beginning of the season of 'winter meals', heartier soups and warm breads. I soaked a pot of anasazi beans and made an old family bean soup recipe called Lumberjack Jumbo, which is made with the beans, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and corn, and seasoned with chili powder. It's a simple recipe but oh, so tasty, especially when it's served with home made corn bread.

3. October is also my sister-in-law's birthday month. When I asked her what she might like for her birthday, she mentioned bunnies! I consulted with Eleanor, and together we decided to ask this little friend if she would like to live on a farm and share a home with cats and dogs, and chickens and goats. Being a very brave and intrepid bunny, Eleanor's best friend agreed. I'm sure she was intrigued with the possibility of walks in the woods, tea parties by the woodstove, and maybe even bus rides! So, after hugging Eleanor good-bye and promising to write often, off she hopped into a mailing box filled with a suitcase stuffed with carrots and lettuces to sustain her for the trip.
4. Instead of having a regular meeting in October, the Ventura County Spinners and Weavers Guild hosts an Open House. Vendors and yarn shop owners gather and show their new fibers, yarns, books and accessories. I wandered back and forth, around and around the booths, chatting with people who, like me, love fiber arts. Because I am a spinner, I am always drawn to the booths that display unspun fibers, like this rainbow painted jumble of wool.

I wish I could share a photo of the two skeins of silk/merino blend fiber I purchased, one in warm brown tones and the other dyed in summer greens and blues. But. Well. Ummm. After I returned home Saturday afternoon and was carrying my knitting bag filled with fiber, phone, camera, and wallet in to the house from the car, I lost my hold on it and it slid to the floor and hit. just. right. No. It hit. just. wrong. My camera took the brunt of the blow. It's heading off tomorrow in a box to a repair place, and we're hoping that it's fixable under the warranty.
5. On Sunday afternoon, The Professor and I drove to Old Town Ventura, grabbed a cuppa to go, and walked out to The Strand (The Ventura Beach Strand, not to be confused with the Manhattan Beach Strand in Los Angeles County). It was not raining, but the sky was covered with dark clouds and ocean was grey. The pelicans were fishing in the deeper waters just beyond the end of the Ventura Pier, circling slowly, then plummeting into the grey depths, sometimes popping up with a fish snack in their beaks. It was perfect beach walking weather.
Thank you for sharing Willow's Week with me! Go on over to Susanne's blog to read other posts written by people who are remembering what they loved about their week.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a great week you had. I love those bunnies and the flowers are just beautiful. Have a great weekend :)

Melli said...

Goodness, but you have had a fabulous week! You always do! I think it's all in your attitude! :) (because the broken camera part was really NOT.GOOD. - but you didn't dwell on that!) I hope it gets repaired quickly - and under warranty!

Those bunnies are just too cute!

Dorothy said...

Eleanor's friend is just so cute!!! And those mums are beautiful!

I hope your camera is back home and restored to full health very soon, Willow!

Hazel said...

Sorry about your camera, but wonderful week nonetheless. The lavender mums are so pretty. I'm in love with no. 3!

Tracy said...

Another wonderful week at Willow's Cottage! :o) Those bunnies have me smiling so much... I keep going back to look at them. And that Kumberjack Jumbo...I would love to try that. Do you have a recipe you can share? Have a happy weekend, my friend ((HUGS))

Barbara H. said...

We've had cool -- cold actually! -- mornings in SC this week but warm afternoons. My roses are still in bloom, at least for now!

I love rediscovering meals for cooler weather this time of year.

Those bunnies are so cute!

Poor camera!! I hope it recovers well and soon.

Your excursions this week sound fun.

Susanne said...

Your mums are such a gorgeous color! As are those unspun yarns.

Hope your camera is able to be fixed. That's really a bummer.

I love bean soups and would serve them way more often if my family would let me. I haven't made cornbread in forever. I may just have to do that this next week.

Cute little bunnies.

ellen b. said...

So are you letting Flower name Eleanor's best friend? Love the little jacket. I should have emailed you the photo I took of the beginnings of the jacket at the tea store. I'll still do that...
I'm still sorry about that camera :0)

Jerralea said...

So did Eleanor's friend make it to her destination unscathed? And did the lettuces and carrots hold out?

Sorry to hear of your camera. Calamity of the worst kind! But you are brave to find favorites in spite of it.

I love the lavender mums!

roxie said...

Willow, you MUST have a working camera. MUST!!

I think Elanor's best friend is going to have a grand time in Oregon, but she might need rain boots. Looking forward to further chapters in this story.

Carrie said...

Fall foods are awesome! I esp. love the soups that fall brings with it. Looks delicious!

Lisa notes... said...

Those mums are gorgeous. As are the bunnies - so cute.

nikkipolani said...

Hey, mums! And they're alive and beautiful. Your bean soup looks fantastic and I'm so enjoying your photos this week... so I'm hoping your camera will return in great shape.

Brenda said...

We had beans and cornbread this week too. Starting in October, I make beans every Monday, and we eat leftovers until they are gone. Healthy and comforting.

I love your bunnies! I spent some years of my childhood at the Ventura peer. My dad used to fish off of it back in the day. . .

Unknown said...

when I read your blog I feel so peaceful..the bunnies are very cute!

annies home said...

love the beautiful flowers and bunnies

Knitting Linguist said...

It sounds like a wonderful week! Those beans look delicious, and the fiber does, too. I'm sorry to hear about your camera -- it'll be back soon, I'm sure, as good as new :)

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Glad you can fix your camera Willow! Your bunnies are the cutest. and I'm glad the new one went to another good home :-)

The vision of pelcans fishing made me smile! So did your bean soup ...I love soup like tnat and I'm overdo to make one..maybe this weekend as we will have a cool rain.

Enjoy your weekend!

TXDidi said...

Hi Willow,
The bunnies are adorable. I have a little knit mouse waiting for my grandbaby when she arrives. And I didn't know you are a spinner, too. What do you spin on? I'm a Lendrum girl but just added a Louet Victoria and will soon be adding some spinning lessons....long overdue.

Faith said...

sounds like you had a great week. LOVE the bunny pic!!!! and guess what! here in the part of NYS i live in, my mums look like yours! we have had a great week of perfect autumn weather!!! GLORY BE TO GOD!

elizabeth said...

I'm so glad that Eleanor's friend consented to go and live with your friend.

Your mums are spectacular by the way! I haven't planted any at this house and need to get that changed.

Sandy@ Jesus and Dark Chocolate said...

Hey even though you are a Dodgers fan thanks for leaving a comment with this Phillies fan. :) Us blogging women stick together regardless of our sports teams!!! LOL

Love that soup, sounds quite delicious this time of year!

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

I do look forward to your FFF! The weather has been particularly seasonal this year and I'm enjoying that very much. I'm sure Elinor's friend will have a smooth adjustment - it sounds like she off to a lovely place.

BTW your bean soup looks yummy!

Flower said...

I read through each of Friday's Fave Five's and came to Eleanor and the "new bunny!" She is sooo cute!! Her name will be shared in time....we just need to hold her first! :))
You had a good week with a very sorry camera story! What is up for the weekend? Soup is on here, too!

Heidi said...

oops, sorry about that camera. liked the tale of the brave bunny best

Jientje said...

Aaaaw, I'm sorry about the camera!! That is not so good!!!
The bunnies look so cute, I hope they have a safe journey!!

Barbara said...

Cool mornings and evenings with warm days soun ds ideal to me. I see rabbit has a friend.

Julia said...

Thanks for you comment! I love the roving pic you posted. I colours are just gorgeous!
PS Good luck with your camera. I hope they fix it quickly!

Caroline said...

I'm so envious of your mums. They're such a beautiful color.

...and your bunnies just keep getting cuter and cuter. I haven't knit one in a while, but now is the perfect time. I love knitting Christmas-themed outfits for them.

Anonymous said...

Oh Willow I'm sorry to hear about your camera. I hope it can be fixed quickly.

Ooo those fibres look lovely- I like those bright colours -almost like sweets. :-)

Oh that is one very cute bunny. I'm sure she will be loved in her new home. The red jacket is perfect for Autumn. I thought of the story of little red reding hood on her travels.

Jenna said...

oh my goodness! Those bunnies are SO cute!
and I LOVE your photographs. very nice!