Hiking and bird watching...

It's been a busy few days around these parts. Our hike was delayed because of the rain on Friday (and because Glenn was called into work), getting last minute items on Saturday for Glenn to enter pics into the Western Idaho Fair in a couple of weeks and finally a hike on Sunday. Monday I spent the day catching up on laundry and getting things done with the yard and garden. I must report that we believe we have conquered the beasties that were freaking me out with the nest they were "trying" to rebuild. No new movement for 4 days now. YEA!!!

Anyhoo, we were able to make it up to the mountains near the house to go to our favorite day hike on Sunday. The breezes were still blowing and jackets were a must believe it or not. And yes, it is August! We loved it! The most perfect weather for going out and enjoying nature.

The girls couldn't resist "climbing" their favorite rock spot along the trail. Little mountain goats I tell you. Spiders scare them but falling off the face of a rock does nothing to them. Good thing it was maybe 10 ft. high. Good thing for my nerves also! :)

A few puffy clouds were moving in making us unsure if we would be able to spend the whole day there. But patience won over and everything was good. There had to be a fire some where though because things were a little hazy even though there was plenty of wind that should have created a clear view to everything. But still a beautiful view none the less. I couldn't help but sit, watch and listen while the girls and Glenn went around exploring things like bugs, trees, wildflowers, birds, moss and... ROCKS.

It seemed like an innocent time of exploring. But was I in for a surprise when we got home and found all the rocks that were put into two backpacks because two little girls could not live without them. :) You would think I would have a rock quarry in the back yard by now! :)

There were red tail hawks to be seen floating in the air moving from one tree to another. Along one part of the trail there were dozens of mountain chickadees and hummingbirds to be seen zooming from one tree to another. And the chirping and buzzing going on was amazing! Pure music! Glenn finally got a great shot of a mountain chickadee after all the times he has tried to take their pic. Fast little buggers! I'll see if I can get him to share the pic with "us".

We did leave for home about mid afternoon when a pack of noisy people showed up on the trail and started to scare everything away. Call me picky but I think the whole point to go and enjoy nature is to take in all the sights and sounds that you normally don't get to take in when at home. I just don't get it when people come up along the trails and they let their kids yell, scream and act like fools, just like they would behave while at home. That is why we go early, so that we don't have to deal with people like that. Anyhoo, we had a wonderful time taking in all the smells, sounds and sights that there was to see. And you just can't beat that!

On the yarn front, I started another scarf with a new stitch found in one of the stitch books I have; basic crochet stitches. (it's listed in the book store below). :) When we went on our trip to Oregon in the spring, I had picked up some yarn at a shop in Coos Bay. It's from Blue Moon Fiber Arts. Absolutely wonderful sock yarn and the most gorgeous colors ever! The color below is Chapman Springs. I just love how the stitches really show off the colors of the yarn. I can't wait until it's finished. I'm about halfway right now. Hopefully in a day or two there should be something to you for a finale. :)

I've not really worked on the granny blankie in the last week. It's just not grabbing me for now. But it sits and waits patiently for me to decide when I might get the granny groove going again. Who knows. Things surely haven't been "normal" around here as far as following project lists here lately, so don't hold your breath. I'm looking at some of the other sock yarns that are sitting in the little basket in the craft room and they are looking very appealing. So maybe a pair of socks after the scarf. Stay tuned!

I'm waiting patiently for the cooler temps at the end of the week again. It really doesn't take much to make me happy. I'm getting that "bake some chocolate chip cookies" feeling and fall isn't even here. There's nothing better when the seasons start to change. And let's not even talk about homemade Apple Crisp! I'm trying to be so patient in waiting for Fall but it's not easy with being teased with wonderfully cool days here and there. The girls are just wanting to know when they can go to the fair so that they can see Daddy's pics displayed and ride a few rides. I think Brenna asked 15 times so far today about "when does the fair start". I've got about two weeks of that being asked now. :)

I better be off to hit the hay, otherwise I will be no good tomorrow! And we can't have that now. Hope everyone had a FAB time this past weekend. Tomorrow is "hump" day and hopefully it will bring more good things for the rest of the week. Put a smile on!!

Toodles!!!