Thursday, April 12, 2012

Across Two Weeks in April

 I missed last week's Friday's Fave Five because we were a little busy with company.  I'm glad to be back this week to share what's happened here at Willow's Cottage.

1. The little ones came from San Diego for their first visit to Meema and Bapa's house.  Of course, they just had to go blueberry picking.


Walking through the university halls was rather exciting too.


2. The hummingbirds are back!  Actually some of them never left, and I've been feeding them all winter, but now there are more of them including this shiny one which frequently enjoys the view from the tip top of my plum tree.


3. I love the California mission architectural style.  Every week I pass Olivas Adobe on my way home from a tutoring session.  Tuesday I decided to stop and walk around the grounds.


There were other people there with cameras photographing the owlets nesting in a magnificent eucalyptus tree.


4. and 5. Finally, I spent a morning with my friend who loves to garden even more than I do (and has a larger lot than I) and after we chatted over Earl Grey tea and scones, we strolled through her back garden.  She grows orange, tangelo, and avocado trees, cultivates several raised beds with veggies, raspberries and grapes, all in her small Southern California backyard. While I was there, I asked her to take my picture since I was wearing my birthday sweater.

Details:  handspun wool/silk blend, dyed by Red Fish Dyeworks.
Pattern:  Liesl
After wearing it the first weekend, I decided that the neckline was too wide, so I single crocheted a couple of rows around the top to tighten it.
Several people have asked me if the sweater is crocheted because the stitches are loose and open.  No, it's knitted in an old traditional stitch pattern called feather and fan.

This was Willow's Week.  I am linking to Susanne's Friday Fave Five.

15 comments:

nikkipolani said...

Yes, I did wave to you as I drove through your neck o' the woods on the way to Cambria :-)

Hurray for company and little ones and berry picking! Love the colors in your birthday sweater.

Marg said...

Oh, I loved that walk down those hallways...holding your hands. That is always a highlight.
What ever happened to the pattern we were working on...Just kidding.
Your sweater looks beautiful.
Have a few blueberries for me...

Faith said...

Oh i just LOVE your sweater..what talent you have..the colors are my absolute favorites! How pretty your pics are and how nice that your grandchildren came for a visit and there's nothing like fresh blueberries and a walk to see new life! :) Happy Spring!

Dorothy said...

Gorgeous sweater, Willow!

And those blueberries look luscious! My favorite berry...

Carrie said...

I'm kinda stuck on the idea that there is a place in this world that is warm enough to grow and pick blueberries! (Ours aren't ripe and ready until July!)

Fresh berries are just so yummy!

Annette Whipple said...

Holding hands and blueberry picking....friends and pretty sweater...such blessings!

I would have loved seeing the owlets!

Jerralea said...

I love the colors of your birthday sweater!

Blueberry picking with the grands sounds like fun times.

Barbara H. said...

How neat to see the owlets! I hear an owl around our place often and would love to catch a glimpse of him.

The sweater is very pretty! I would have guessed crochet, too -- I didn't know there were loose and open stitches in knitting.

Brenda said...

Look at the oranges on that tree! I can see an orange tree right out side the window in my office and it makes me happy. I love your BD sweater! I usually get myself a BD dress :)

roxie said...

Meema and Bapa? That makes me giggle. Is that YOU in those hot, high-heeled boots? Woot!

Humming birds and owlets, blueberries and grand babies and it certainly seems like spring at your house!

Susanne said...

Love the colors and pattern of your sweater!

A first visit from grandkids! How special and so much fun for you and them.

Your friend's garden sounds amazing!

ellen b. said...

Lovely sweater Willow! So glad you had 2 weeks of good times...

Gattina said...

These mini birds are so cute unfortunately we only have them here in a zoo. I love gardens and flowers but I don't like gardening, I prefer to sit in a garden, lol !

Claudia Bugh said...

Loved everything about these two weeks! And I'm completely jealous of the owlet sighting :( LOL Love the missions and Santa Barbara's is a beauty, speaking of which I get to go visit the folks tomorrow - yay!

Barbara said...

How great to have the grands come stay. Very pretty sweater and those oranges, well how delicious.