Winter Swans

Tundra Swans spend time every winter in the pond below Rooster Rock.  Every year I kick myself for not getting a photo of them.  SO.. yesterday was a beautiful icy cold winter day and hubby and I had some errands, so we headed first to try to get some photos of the wondrous birds.  I was awestruck by the frosty trees on Larch Mountain.. looming behind Rooster Rock.

I had to pull over on the side of the freeway and Dayle got these shots out of the window.  

Unfortunately, my little camera did not capture the swans well.  But it was so cool as about 10 of the big beauties came in for a landing and Dayle missed the bigger picture in the camera lens, but it was very cool to see them flare and land.. you can see a bit of it in this photo.

The Columbia River Gorge - Washington on the left and Oregon on the right.  Rooster rock and up on the bluff to the far right, Vista House at Crown Point State Park. 

We ran our errands, picking up our repaired generator and having lunch in town - then returned home, but drove on up to Portland Women's Forum Scenic Viewpoint and got this shot of Vista House and the gorge in the late afternoon light. 

I zoomed up to the frosty trees on top of Larch Mountain.  Love the blue sky, clouds and cloud shadows in this shot. 

Back a ways.. 

I love where I live. :-) 

Once home, I collected the eggs while Dayle unloaded the generator.  I think Lacey may have started laying as this is a pretty white egg!  Not to complete my egg color spectrum, I need to find a green egg laying hen! :-)

Love the different colors of eggs!

After such an invigorating day of a frigid photo safari, I settled in my cozy chair to do some crocheting.  People - if you love softness and organically beautiful unbleached cotton, you simply must order some of this yarn.  The feel of it is absolute tactile nirvana!  Soft and real.. so nice.

My blog friend Shari (click Lauren's Closet) loves pastel cottons and got me inspired to do a quick wash cloth.  I love working with my sterling silver crochet hook.

A close-up of this luscious cotton - it's made in Peru.

I recently ordered some of their colored cotton and selected this wonderful sea glass aqua for the edging.

All done!  This is the ridged pattern.. 

TEXTURED WASH CLOTH PATTERN

Finished size approx 8"x8"

With size H crochet hook and any kitchen cotton yarn, ch 30

Row 1: dc in 3^rd ch from hook, sk 1, * sc and dc in next ch, sk 1 * - repeat from * to * to end of row, ending with sc in last stitch. Ch 2, turn.

Rows 2-21 are worked in back loop only except for first and last stitch.

Row 2 - 20: dc in first st, sk 1, * working in back loop only, sc and dc in next space, sk 1 *, repeat from * to * to end of row, ending with sc in last st. Ch 2, turn.

Finishing: After completing last st in row 20, sc/ch 1/sc in that corner space, continue to sc around all sides of piece, with sc/ch 1/sc in corners. Join with sl st to first sc in first corner worked. Bind off and work in ends.

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I was looking at my Shamrock plant and enjoying how the leaves were seeking the light and noticed that there were two stems of blooms in the back.. sweet.

And lastly.. we're trying to eat healthier and this is the meal that Dayle put together for us while I crocheted.  Yum!  Chicken, ham, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, snow peas, bleu cheese crumbles, cheddar cheese, sliced olives, dried cranberries with a small amount of ranch dressing.

So... our lovely, sunny Saturday is still morning.. I plan to do some work in my office.  Oh my.. it needs a professional organizer, or 2, or 10.  Wish me luck.  If you don't hear from me in a week, call the cops.  :-)  What fun plans do YOU have this weekend?  ((hugs)), Teresa :-)