10-10-2011 African Market

This is another of my favorite pieces 
in the Augustana Art exhibit...

inspired by a visit to an African outdoor market

exploding with color!

10-9-2011 CLASS PROJECT

Today DH & I went to see an art exhibit

at Augustana Lutheran College.

I loved this "Class Project"

where they divided a painting into 15 equal squares...

gave each student in class one square...

and had each student paint their individual square

in the style of a different artist.

10-8-2011 Coral Reef

over 4,000 pieces

crocheted by 819 individuals 

over 6 months...

on loan to our local museum

by the Smithsonian Museum.

www.crochetcoralreef.org

10-7-2011 BSJ Progress

I'm making slow but steady progress

knitting my Chicago Bears BSJ.

10-6-2011 Bobbing

Snapshots taken 

while bobbing in my kayak...

it's a beautiful autumn in Iowa!

10-5-2011 Blue Heron

DH & I went kayaking 

yesterday afternoon and this morning...

saw turtles, snakes and several blue heron.

10-4-2011 PRAM

This past weekend, Dear Daughter and Son-in-Law

gave me a new charm for my Pandora bracelet...

can you guess which one it is?!?!!? 

10-3-2011 Knit One Pray Too

 Today I attended a 'Knit One, Pray Too' knitting retreat
at the Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat Center,
nestled away in the hills and fields of Iowa.

Participants walked the outdoor labyrinth

while the sisters set up for lunch...

I knitted a little Chef's Hat

and presented it to the sisters who serve us such 

amazing, beautiful, delicious lunches!

10-2-2011 Beer Soap

I love making and using homemade lye soaps...

so just HAD to buy one of these at the brewery

to bring home and try!!!

The scent is 'intoxicating!'

10-1-2011 Wine Country

Today DH & I visited several wineries and a brewery

while driving around and enjoying 

the beautiful fall foliage in Wisconsin.

We did a bit of 'wine tasting' as well.  :*)

9-30-2011 Road Trip!

DH & I took a road trip

to Wisconsin this weekend

to see the magnificent autumn colors...

... see some of our favorite sights...

... spend time in one of our favorite towns ...

(Galena, IL)

... do some shopping...

... and enjoy some fine dining...

The only thing that would have made the trip better 

would have been to have our BFF's with us!

9-29-2011 Magnificent!

Hundreds of pelicans

riding the air currents

gathering to migrate south

made my day

while out kayaking!

Wish I had taken this on shore using a tripod

instead of from a hand-held camera in my bobbing kayak!

9-28-2011 Just Chillin'

My DH & I out kayaking.  :*)

9-27-2011 Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Sunset over corn

after several days of heavy rain

warms my face

as I sit on the front porch

to take it in!

9-26-2011 Fired Up!

 DH & I went to the local hot air balloon festival...

The balloons are so beautiful

when they are fired up!!!

It brings back fond memories

of my one and only hot air balloon ride at Vail, CO

in the mid 1990's

during our final 'family vacation.'

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9-25-2011 Purple and Yellow

Everywhere I look this autumn

I see purples and yellows!

9-24-2011 Perfection

 Today's weather was perfection!!!

So, DH & I took a LONG stroll along the Mississippi River.

What a blessing!  I love the QC!!!

9-23-2011 What a Rack!!!

 Our dear SIL brought over and installed

some awesome racks and panniers

on our bicycles today!!!

Thanks so much!!! O X O X O X

9-22-2011 No Pressure... But...

...today I'm starting a 'Granny's Hope Chest' !!!

The first thing I'm knitting 

is a Chicago Bears BSJ

for the grandchildren 

born to my son and his wife

in Chicago!  :*)

_________________________

9-21-2011 Jalapeños

Today is 

the last day of summer/first day of autumn...

I harvested all my jalapeños

and threw them in my dehydrator.

After they are dry

I'll throw them in the blender 

and chop them to a fine powder

to sprinkle on food during the coming winter...

anything to add some heat

to the cold Iowa winters!!!

9-18-2011 Pooches

I was able to knit three dog sweaters

while at my son's house this weekend.

Here are two of the three:

9-17-2011 Knife Show

Today DH & I attended a KNIFE SHOW

at the Oak Lawn Pavillion. 

Knife maker Ron Rosenbaugh

www.rosenbaughknives.com

was kind enough to let me photograph his awesome display: